Asia is a junior at Stanford studying Energy Resources Engineering and Data Science. Before Breakout Mentors she had a very unique experience biking from San Francisco to Washington D.C., teaching STEM workshops at schools and libraries along the way! Now with Breakout Mentors she is an expert at making the first coding experience engaging and creative for our young kids.
When did you start to code?
I started coding during my freshman year in Stanford’s introductory coding class. I had no previous coding experience but had heard many promising things about the class and after taking the class became quickly excited by the seemingly limitless potential of coding.
Why is it important for kids to start coding when young?
Learning how to code from a young age really pushes kids to be better problem solvers which can extend into other aspects of their learning beyond school. Coding helps develop stronger critical thinking skills and encourages kids to be more thoughtful in solving problems. I think coding is a great way to foster great learning habits and give kids a powerful tool for their futures.
What advice do you have for kids learning how to code?
Be sure to have fun in the learning process! Developing coding skills takes time and practice but incorporating your own creativity in the code and seeing it come to life is super rewarding. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, having a strong foundation can help you explore new and exciting material!