By Tremaine Eto
![los angeles public library coding classes kids](https://stuffinla.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/codingclasses.png)
At-home school has been challenging for parents across the world, but one of the aspects I don’t see discussed as much in the public sphere is the role that the lack of after-school activities has played in making things even more stressful.
Whether it’s after-school clubs or study halls or sports, there’s been a general void and a lack of transition from the classroom–virtual or not–to home.
Recently, I caught wind of the Los Angeles Public Library offering something to help with this, and it turns out that it’s something I’m passionate about: helping anyone who may be interested in programming given the chance.
What is it?
![Los Angeles Public Library Logo - DTLA Mini Maker Faire](https://i0.wp.com/dtla.makerfaire.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2016/06/Stacked-LAPL-Logo-Left-500x500-Trasnsparent-e1573341531798.png?ssl=1)
For four Mondays in January and February 2021, the Los Angeles Public Library via its Rancho Park Branch is offering free online coding classes for kids (recommended for ages 7 and up).
The classes will be taught by a teenager volunteer with a passion for coding, and each class will cover a different topic.
When is it?
The class will be held on the following dates, all at 3:00 P.M.:
- Monday, January 11, 2021
- Monday, January 25, 2021
- Monday, February 8, 2021
- Monday, February 22, 2021
How do I sign my kids up?
Simply e-mail Michele Robinson at mrobinson@lapl.org mentioning this class, and she will send you a Zoom link to log into.
What kind of coding will be taught?
These classes will be totally introductory and will utilize a programming language and website known as Scratch. It sounds far more intimidating than it actually is; it actually was developed by MIT and is primarily targeted at kids 7-16 years old.
![scratch coding user interface](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Comparison_of_Scratch_1.4_and_Scratch_2.png/1280px-Comparison_of_Scratch_1.4_and_Scratch_2.png)
With Scratch, kids are able to code a wide variety of creations ranging from video games–as seen in the platform game “Jumper” below–to animations to simulations.
![scratch coding platform game](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Jumper_platformer.png)
The Los Angeles Public Library is a fantastic resource, and even though it’s not open for in-person visits, it’s genuinely nice to see that they are still providing useful services like these free classes for the Los Angeles community.