This is a collection of links to external resources that may be valuable as you explore coding. The links are sortable by different tags, and each resource has a brief description. Disclaimer: The resources listed below are recommended by Wisconsin public librarians and are not intended as endorsements by DPI.
| Resource | Description | Tag |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners Coding Guide | A free online resource guide for educators. | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Binary Bracelets | A passive (participant-led) craft for youth that teaches the basics of binary coding language, offline | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Located in many municipalities, these clubs offer youth a range of experiences. Through a partnership with Microsoft, the organization has a focus on computer science. | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Boy Scouts of America Programming Merit Badge | An outline of the requirements and resources for the merit badge | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Coding Clubs: Youth Programming in Public Libraries webinar | A one hour webinar recording on YouTube from TechSoup about youth services programming related to coding | learning activities |
| Code Academy | Online and interactive coding lessons for high school aged youth | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Code Avengers | Online courses for high school aged youth that teach coding basics through the lens of specific careers | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Code.org | A non-profit focused on computer science and the originator of Hour of Code | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Codea | An iPad app for high school aged youth that allows users to create and design games and simulations | learning activities, app |
| CodeHS | A teaching platform to help teach computer science to high school aged youth | institution/organization, learning activities |
| CoderDojo | An international organization focused on youth and computer programming | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Continuing Education from the iSchool at UW-Madison | In-person and online continuing education courses for library staff through UW-Madison | institution/organization |
| CS Fundamentals Unplugged | A list of unplugged activities from Code.org | learning activities |
| CS Teaching Tips | Computer Science teaching tips that help teachers anticipate students' difficulties and build upon their strengths | institution/organization, learning activities, article/document |
| CS Teaching Tips Talking Points | Computer Science teaching tips and talking points that help teachers anticipate students' difficulties and build upon their strengths | learning activities, article/document |
| CS Unplugged | CS Unplugged is a collection of free learning activities that teach Computer Science through games and puzzles | materials/devices, institution/organization, learning activities |
| Cubetto | Coding without screens for children ages three and up | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Daisy the Dinosaur | An iPad app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| Dash and Dot and Cue robots | Specific robots that teach coding concepts through use of iPad and Android apps | materials/devices, learning activities, app |
| Definition of computer science | A definition of computer science from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction | institution/organization |
| Explora Educator's Edition | A database of educator tools available through BadgerLink | institution/organization, learning activities, article/document |
| Frogs and Cupcakes | A passive (participant-led) board game activity for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding, offline | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Gear Learning | An organization through UW-Madison focused on designing and developing games | institution/organization |
| Girl Scouts: Made with Code | A partnership between the Girl Scouts and Google focusing teaching girls 13+ to code | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Girls Who Code | A national non-profit focused on the gender gap in technology | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Hopscotch | An iPad app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| Hour of Code with Code.org | A one hour introduction to computer science and computer programming | learning activities |
| Hour of Code with Khan Academy | A one hour introduction to computer science and computer programming | learning activities |
| How to Talk About Coding | A PDF of bulleted talking points created by WisCode Literati | article/document |
| Khan Academy | A non-profit that provides free online education in a variety of subjects | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Kodable | An iPad app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| Lego Mindstorm | An iPad and Android app for middle school aged youth that teaches the basics of coding in conjunction with use of a specific devices called EV3 robots | materials/devices, learning activities, app |
| Lego STEM Activities: Pinterest Search | Search results for a range of passive and staff-led activities related to STEM, using Lego | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Library Journal Online Courses | Online courses for library professionals, including coding and related fields | institution/organization |
| Lynda.com | Thousands of online courses taught by industry experts, including the field of computer science | institution/organization |
| Makey Makey | Makey Makey makes out-of-the-box thinking possible with a small board, USB cable, and electrical wires (and a few lessons about circuits and conductivity). | materials/devices, learning activities |
| MKE Mixers | An ILEAD USA Wisconsin project emphasizing how any public library can be a maker space | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Move the Turtle | An iPad app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| Ozobot | Coding meets STEAM with these tiny robots, suitable for early elementary ages up to adults. By creating color coded sequences, the user programs the robot to navigate along the chosen path. Even more, Ozobots can be coded to change colors and speed. | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Ozobot Evo | Evo is a step up from the Ozobots. Evo allows users to draw with markers on paper, and using its color recognition, Evo responds by detecting the color and spinning, speeding up or slowing down. | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Pixar in a Box | Partner content from Khan Academy, this resource offers a behind the scenes look at how Pixar artists do their jobs | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Play Make Learn | An annual professional development event at UW-Madison focused on the playing and making aspects of gaming and computer science | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Program a Friend | A passive (participant-led) activity that teaches the basics of coding as a set of instructions, offline | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Robot Turtles | A passive (participant-led) board game activity for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding, offline | materials/devices, learning activities |
| School of Information Studies at UW-Milwaukee | Master of Library & Information Studies program at UW-Milwaukee | institution/organization |
| Scratch | A project of MIT that allows users to program their own stories | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Scratch Jr. | An iPad and Android app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| Snap Circuits | Snap circuits allow users to safely experiment with electricity and circuitry simply by snapping pieces together. | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Sowing Seeds Librarian | A blog from Brewer Public Library (Richland Center, WI) with numerous posts about coding activities | learning activities, article/document |
| Sphero | An iPad and Android app for middle school aged youth that teaches the basics of coding in conjunction with use of a specific robots (SPRK+, Ollie, and Sphero) | materials/devices, learning activities, app |
| Squishy Circuits | Squishy Circuits use conductive and insulating play dough to teach the basics of electrical circuits in a fun, hands-on way. | materials/devices, learning activities |
| Tabletop coding | An unplugged coding activity using a checkerboard | materials/devices, learning activities |
| The Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries | A defining report on why public libraries are essential to growth of local communities | institution/organization |
| The iSchool at UW-Madison | The Information School at UW-Madison offers a range of information-education programs | institution/organization |
| TreeHouse | A subscription-based platform that teaches computer science related courses | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Tynker | An iPad app for early elementary aged youth that teaches the basics of coding | learning activities, app |
| University of Wisconsin System | A system of 26 campuses and UW Extension emphasizes public education, including the field of computer science | institution/organization |
| Why Every Child Should Learn to Code | An article written by Dan Crow and published by The Guardian speaking to future | article/document |
| WisCode Literati | A project started through ILEAD USA-Wisconsin focused on teaching computational thinking | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Wisconsin 4-H Computer Programming and Animation | STEM-focused resources from UW-Extension for the 4-H community | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Wisconsin Computer Science Educators List Serv | A email list for educators (including library staff) to share and discuss efforts related to computer science | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Wisconsin Mathematics Council Annual Conference | An annual event for math educators typically features a daylong pre-conference on computer science and coding | institution/organization, learning activities |
| Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science | Computer Science Education Standards adopted in 2017 | institution/organization |
| Wisconsin Technical College System | The WTCS specializes in connecting students with Wisconsin employers, including the field of computer science | institution/organization |
For questions about this information, contact Tessa Michaelson Schmidt (608) 267-5077