The Hour of Code is a global movement by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to reach tens of millions of students in over 180 countries and introduce them to computer science and computer programming.

Guyra Library and Information Officer Aimee Hutton said that it was important that every student acquire some knowledge of computer science in order to be successful in the modern world.

“The Hour of Code aims to spark an interest in students to keep learning and develop the skills they will require to fill future occupations which are being transformed by technology,” she said.

“Forty percent of schools are now teaching computer programming so it was a wonderful opportunity for the Guyra Library to encourage students to participate in science based activities.”

Between December 5 and 9 over 100 students from Guyra Central School and St Mary of the Angels, visited the Guyra Library and participated in a coding workshops.

Most students were experiencing coding for the first time and all appeared enthusiastic and keen to learn.

“Before students began coding online, we used fairy bread making and cup stacking to demonstrate the fundamentals of building instructions which a computer could follow,” Aimee said.

“All students were confident with this task initially, but soon discovered that a lack of detail or a missed step quickly led to 100s and 1000s scattered across table tops and the floor, and a final product which barely resembled a piece of fairy bread.

“Through a little trial and error, the instructions were perfected and eventually every student was able to enjoy a piece of fairy bread.”