A curriculum built for young coders.
Chapters and camps use our own curriculum, written for younger students and refined since 2018. Students start with Python or Java, build their skills, and apply them in projects or explore electives.
Core curriculum.
Start with the basics, build on them, then put your skills into practice. Intermediate Java and project-based courses are offered depending on interest.
Python
Intro to Python
Learn programming through Python, covering variables, input and output, conditionals, loops, and functions. Build a foundation with no prior experience required.
Recommended for: Grades 4-8, with little or no previous coding experience.
Intermediate Python
Build on the basics with lists, tuples, dictionaries, references, classes, object-oriented programming, and inheritance.
Recommended for: Grades 5-8. Students should have completed Intro to Python or understand variables, conditionals, loops, and functions.
Project-based Python
Apply Python skills by building increasingly complex programs and games, from rock-paper-scissors and calculators to larger games and programs with graphical interfaces.
Recommended for: Students who have completed Intermediate Python or are already familiar with coding in Python. Offered depending on interest.
Java
Intro to Java
Learn Java fundamentals, including data types, input, conditionals, loops, and problem-solving. Java uses more detailed syntax than Python, but no programming experience is required.
Recommended for: Grades 4-8, especially older beginners or students comfortable with math and detailed syntax.
Intermediate Java
Expand on basic Java with methods, arrays, ArrayLists, classes, objects, inheritance, and other object-oriented programming concepts.
Recommended for: Grades 6-8. Students should have completed Intro to Java or be comfortable writing basic Java programs. Offered depending on interest.
Project-based Java
Apply Java skills by building increasingly complex programs and games, from rock-paper-scissors and calculators to larger games and programs with graphical interfaces.
Recommended for: Students who have completed Intermediate Java or are already familiar with coding in Java. Offered depending on interest.
Workshops and electives.
Beyond Python and Java, we run hands-on workshops.
Web development
HTML tags, the CSS box model, colors, Flexbox, and interactivity with JavaScript.
App development with Thunkable
Components, multiple screens, custom elements, data, and interactivity with code blocks.
Scratch
Stages, sprites, control flow, and variables. A first step for our youngest students.
Cryptography
Pigpen, phone, Caesar, and other ciphers.
Robotics with Dash
Intro to code blocks, moving and turning, control flow, and variables.
Write and run code in our IDE.
Try our browser-based Python editor, built for Steel City Codes students. There's nothing to install: open it in any browser to get started.
See the curriculum in action.
Join a chapter or camp to learn with a mentor, or volunteer to teach it.