ALLENTOWN – A coding club at Allentown High School has received approval for the 2017-18 school year from the Upper Freehold Regional School District Board of Education.
Board members approved the creation of the coding club for the current school year during a meeting on Oct. 10. The club will not carry a cost to the district.
Coding is what makes it possible for individuals to create computer software, applications and websites, according to codeconquest.com
The club was proposed by seniors Evan Wireman, Andrew Duffy and Zane Bachmann, who gave a presentation to the board at the meeting. The students said they each have experience with coding programs.
“Our mission is to help Allentown students foster their creative problem solving skills in a relaxed, no-pressure environment,” the students said in their presentation. “All three of us aspire to study computer science in college and being that computer science is a growing field with infinite opportunity, we hope to bring this knowledge to the students of Allentown High School.”
According to Evan, Andrew and Zane, all of the students at the high school are welcome to join the coding club. The students said they want individuals who do not have experience to be able to participate in the coding club, in addition to their desire to help experienced coders hone their skills.
Describing the coding club as an open environment, the students told board members and district administrators that potential members do not have to sign up and are welcome to join at any time.
Club members will study at their own pace using free, online materials and textbooks the three founding members have acquired. By the end of the school year, the founding members hope their fellow students will create and present their own projects.
The club will have no financial costs, according to the students, and requires only two assets from the district: classroom space for the club members to meet and a staff supervisor. The students said the staff supervisor does not need to have coding experience and they do not need access to the school’s computers because each student has a Google Chromebook computer.
The students told the board that math teacher Timothy Magnus has given them permission to use his classroom.
Andrew, Evan and Zane said the coding club will be beneficial to the high school because it can encourage students to consider studying computer science in college and educate them in the subject before they attend college.
Computer science “is one of the most versatile majors one could have,” the students said in their presentation. “Every company needs IT (information technology) help. We wish to begin preparing students for a lucrative career in the IT industry.”
Board members and district administrations voiced support for the coding club.
“This concept is one we should support,” Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick said.
Board member Timothy Stolzenberger, who works for a software company, said coding skills are considered to be a valuable asset.
“Coding can be for everyone,” he said. “It is an extremely valuable skill.”