Hour of Code gives kids first-hand experience with advance technology

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A collaboration between Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln gave school-aged children an opportunity to learn and play.

From simple activities involving Legos to advance computer programing, there was something for all ages and skill levels.

Several other Lincoln organizations set up booths throughout the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center providing top-of-the-line equipment for the curious to try out.

A volunteer from LPS, Grant Aden, said one common goal throughout the entire event was getting kids to work and understand how coding works.

“When people think of computer technology they think of games or playing games,” Aden said. “We’re trying to change that stigma.”

Aden worked a booth that utilized Bee Bots, tiny bee robots that follow a designated path, to show elementary-aged students how coding works.

“We try to get away from that “play” and get into programming,” he said. “We might put a Bee-Bot in a kid’s hand and tell them how to get a Bee-Bot through a maze.”

If the kids were ready to up the difficulty, they could move a robot through a maze by using an iPad remote controller.

Those interested in the behind the scene work could use provided computer programs to learn how to program video games.

No matter the side of coding many students left the event inspired to work with this technology in the future.