La Feria ISD Students engage in block-code programming to automate a robotic rover to navigate a designated pathway.
Photo by Ivan Aguillon
Written by Ivan Aguillon
La Feria, Texas
Picture a lively library buzzing with energy, where young minds are immersed in computer tablets—not just scrolling, but coding. Their faces glow with excitement as they use a block-based coding application to bring a rover to life. With every command they piece together, they're engineering a path through a complex obstacle course, putting their critical thinking skills and teamwork into practice. This isn't just play—it's learning how to write a simple code to command to a rover.
La Feria Independent School District (ISD), in collaboration with the College 1st Program, has launched an exciting initiative designed to immerse students in the dynamic world of coding and software development. This CAMP is focused on exploring essential programming skills, offering interactive experiences that inspire innovation and creativity, and providing a unique opportunity for students to engage with programming and software development concepts through practical applications such as app & web development, artificial intelligence, and robotics automation.
Throughout the CAMP, students participated in various interactive activities that sparked their interest in programming and potential careers in software development. They delved into pseudocode and its transformation into coding languages, gaining a solid understanding of high-level programming concepts. They used robotics software to program a rover to navigate a designated pathway using block-based coding and learned about artificial intelligence applications. This hands-on experience enhanced their logical thinking pattern and problem-solving skills while introducing them to the fundamentals of automation programming.
"It was so fun! I had an amazing time at the CAMP!" said Seleste Martinez, La Feria ISD High School Student. "I think a lot of other students would enjoy it, and it can open their eyes to more opportunities like computer science!"
Students participate in an engaging hands-on team race, where they use dice to simulate and apply computer algorithms, adding a fun and interactive twist to learning coding concepts.
Photo by Ivan Aguillon
During the CAMP, students were challenged to brainstorm and design their own app and website ideas. Working collaboratively in teams, they identified real-world problems and crafted digital solutions, transforming their ideas into functional prototypes. By learning about programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS, they gained practical skills applicable to future technology and software development careers.
Students also explored drone flight programming and discovered real-world applications of this technology in agriculture, security, and entertainment industries. Inspired by these possibilities, some students envisioned drone applications for emergency response and environmental conservation, reinforcing the transformative potential of coding in various fields.
"This motivates me to go to college!" said Noah Salazar, La Feria ISD High School Student. "I had never messed with coding before, but now I want to learn more and maybe become a software engineer!"
Students delve into drone flight technologies, learning how they are programmed and discovering their practical applications for driving innovation and solving real-world challenges.
Photo by Ivan Aguillon
In addition to technical skills, students were encouraged to think critically and creatively, applying their newfound knowledge to conceptualize groundbreaking technological solutions. By fostering an environment of innovation and curiosity, the CAMP exposed students to coding abilities and introduced them to potential career paths in software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
"It’s important to learn about coding or other careers at an early age!" reflected Diana Gonzalez, La Feria ISD High School Student. "When it’s time to decide what major to choose or what colleges to apply to—especially when you enter high school—you have to have at least an idea of what you want to do, and this program really helps with making the right decision!" Gonzalez concluded.
La Feria ISD Students engage in block-code programming to automate a robotic rover to navigate a designated pathway.
Photo by Ivan Aguillon
In today's digital landscape, coding is a fundamental skill driving technological advancements across multiple industries. From healthcare and finance to aerospace and entertainment, software development is revolutionizing the way we interact with the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development jobs are projected to grow by 17% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This underscores the increasing demand for coding expertise. As we advance into a tech-driven future, students who acquire programming skills are poised to become pioneers in innovation.
The Coding & Software Development CAMP at La Feria ISD was more than educational—it was a catalyst for future software developers and coding innovators. These immersive educational experiences prepare students for potential careers and empower them to choose the right pathway to college. La Feria ISD is inspiring the next generation of coding and software developing professionals to innovate the future of technology.
For more information about La Feria ISD please call them at 956-797-8300 or visit their website at www.laferiaisd.org. College 1st is a joint initiative implemented in partnership with visionary leaders from school districts, education service centers, and post-secondary institutions across the State of Texas to empower students for college, career, and life success. For more details about the program, please visit our website at www.College1st.org or call us at 1-877-499-8544.
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