ALEXANDRIA, Va. —
Writing computer code is an important tool scientists use to learn more about climate change. Climatologists use code to make models that can help predict, mitigate, or even resolve climate disasters. WUSA9 Meteorologist Makayla Lucero explores Code Ninjas in Alexandria where the next generation is getting a head start at learning this important skill.
David Ryan, the owner of Code Ninjas Alexandria provides kids with a space to learn not only essential STEM skills but also important life lessons.
“We teach kids computer programming or coding and they do that through a game-based curriculum which takes them from white to black belt, and they are learning so many other things besides just coding like problem solving and math communications" Ryan said. "They get to work on projects with other kids too, so that fosters teamwork ─ there's also a lot of creativity we encourage.”
Ryan hopes that one day these Code Ninja students will use their STEM knowledge to help tackle problems all over the world.
“When it comes to global challenges and big issues facing the world like climate change, the kids learning here are going to take the core concepts and things that they've developed, their life skills, and computer programming [and] they could go on to professions where they help build models for mitigation or predictive capabilities to mitigate those types of issues,” Ryan said.
Students work their way through engaging curriculum and earn new colored belts as they go. They start with white belts and can work all the way up to black belts. This process that can take years to complete. But for Nicholas Russo, a top student, the work is well worth it.
“Code a lot better than I used to be able to do, and I can make art better. I can type better because I've needed to do more of that stuff when I’m here,” said Russo. At only 10 years old, Russo is working on earning his black belt and says the biggest lesson he has learned through Code Ninjas is perseverance. “Don't stop when something goes wrong. If something doesn't go your way, don't like just quit. Keep going, keep trying like learn from your mistakes. Don't just give up from your mistakes."
Code Ninjas offers classes and camps for kids up to 14 years old ─ giving the next generation a strong foundation on which they can build a better future.