84,000 Students Across Canada to Take Part in Canada Learning Code Week December 3-10 | CodeWeek.ca

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - 84,000 Canadian students will participate in the 2^nd annual Canada Learning Code Week December 3-10 in over 200 communities across the country. Canada Learning Code Week gives teachers and community groups the free resources required to introduce coding to students with a fun-filled week of learning the digital skills crucial for today and tomorrow's economy.

This year, Canada Learning Code Week activities include:

• Programming Voice-Assistant technology
• An unplugged coding lesson on basketball
• Celebrating innovation through web development
• Code a simulation of self-driving cars
• Creating a virtual reality inspired by indigenous art

There is no cost to participate. Teachers and community groups can visit CodeWeek.ca to download free lesson plans and participation guides.

Across Canada today, only 4 out of 13 provinces and territories have mandated coding in their kindergarten to grade 12 curriculum. Canada Learning Code Week is designed to help educators introduce computational-thinking fundamentals and basic coding skills into classrooms across the country to ensure Canadians students have the knowledge to build and not just consume technology.

"To truly transform the digital landscape and provide equal access to all Canadians, we need to bring computational-thinking fundamentals and basic coding skills into classrooms across the country. That is why we have launched a pan-Canadian K-12 computer science education framework. Canada Learning Code Week is a great first step for teachers to introduce these crucial concepts now while the longer-term curriculum modernization is developed."
          -Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO of Canada Learning Code

"Amazon aims to inspire millions of students each year to learn to code. We are excited to support Canada Learning Code's robust and creative programs to introduce even more students across Canada to computer science."   
          -Alexandre Gagnon, Vice President, Amazon Canada & Mexico

Media are welcome to attend these Signature Canada Learning Code Week Events: (all times local)

December 3 – Ottawa, ON | Shopify HQ in partnership with Rideau Hall Foundation 1-3pm

December 5 – Perth, ON | St. John's Catholic High School 1-3pm

December 6 – Toronto, ON | Amazon Downtown Toronto 1-3pm

December 7 – Vancouver, BC | Amazon Vancouver 10am-1pm

December 7 – Toronto, ON | MLSE LaunchPad 1-3pm

December 8 – Markham, ON | General Motors Markham 10am-12pm

December 8 – Iqaluit, NU | Pinnguaq Makerspace 11am-3pm

About Canada Learning Code:
Canada Learning Code is Canada's leading national charity championing digital literacy education. Placing a special emphasis on women, girls, people with disabilities, Indigenous youth and newcomers, Canada Learning Code is proud to work from coast to coast to make sure that all Canadians have access to the knowledge they need to prosper in our digital world.

Originally founded as Ladies Learning Code in 2011, the organization has evolved to run programming for adults, youth and educators through programs Ladies, Girls, Kids, Teens and Teachers Learning Code. Today, Canada Learning Code operates in over 35 communities across the country, driving results through program design and delivery, strategic industry and public partnerships, research and advocacy. To date, the organization has reached over 90,000 learners through an in-person experience.

Twitter: @learningcode  Instagram: @learningcode Facebook: @canadalearningcode

Canada Learning Code is grateful to our sponsors for their generous support making Canada Learning Code Week possible: Government of Canada, Amazon, & Chevrolet

SOURCE Canada Learning Code

Media Contact: Jamie Ellerton, Conaptus PR [email protected] | 416.639.6090; Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO of Canada Learning Code and Canada Learning Code Chapter Leads are available for media interviews throughout Canada Learning Code Week.