Bootstrap for kids

Dear PropellerHeads: I bet my 7-year-old can do your job...

A: Wait, is that a question? Regardless, I doubt that's the case. I'm pretty sure they'll have to hit double digits before they pose a real threat (Note to self: "Deal" with threat in a few of years). In the meantime, there are certainly tools that can help your wunderkind turn into the tech version of Doogie Howser, M.D. if they are on that path. The one that has our propellers twirling is a program call Bootstrap (www.bootstrapworld.org).

Bootstrap is an alternative teaching curriculum that is really aimed at helping revive the lagging interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the U.S. These areas are gaining momentum overseas and can lead to jobs that are in high demand. The way to boost this revival is to get students excited about it at a young age. Bootstrap describes its curriculum as ideal for 12- to 16-year-olds; however, it's also been very successful with younger children.

One of the ways Bootstrap gets young people excited in those fields is by adding the "fun factor." Let's face it - algebra isn't very sexy. That is, until the creators of Bootstrap combined a unique teaching methodology with...video games! The big attraction for kids taking this curriculum is that they not only get to play video games, but they can create them, change them, and do it all during classroom time.

The lessons actually start with simple exercises that use basic math functions (addition, subtraction, etc.) to teach the programming language. They show the equation in a traditional format, translate that into a visual representation that shows the same equation, and then provide a third presentation which is a line of code for use in the games later down the road. As the lessons progress, they introduce definitions for basic algebra alongside the programming jargon using a combination of traditional equations, word problems, and visual tools.

Unless you are a fellow Propellerhead you're probably thinking that this doesn't sound very fun, but throughout each lesson the students get to plug those example equations into program and run their "game." The initial phases really have the program acting as a glorified calculator, but the teaching method is genius in its simplicity.

The lessons quickly move forward from simple equations into defining search logic through games like "Pizza Parlor," where the students enter code that includes topping names and prices. When the game is played, it asks you what toppings you would like. As you enter them in, it returns costs and can even tell you if a topping is not available.

Later lessons include the introduction of graphics and more complex logic that put the games on the same level as many simple mobile apps that are available on iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/) or Google Play (http://play.google.com).

OK, so you're ready for your Steve Jobs incarnate to take over the tech world, but how do you get started? Many of the resources you need can be found on their site for free; however, the curriculum is really designed for a classroom setting. Teacher-only materials are currently restricted to participating school partners.

The good news is that Bootstrap is free to schools that want to teach it. It could be as simple as reaching out to administrators at your child's school and pointing them to the site for their review. Even if they don't start a local program, you can have fun doing the lessons alongside your child and secretly preparing them for a future that will utilize their skills.

In the meantime, I'm going to have to review child labor laws to see if I have to worry about a second-grader becoming my boss...

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to [email protected] or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.