Last semester, I met a remarkably bright student named Pernell Hale, a 4th-grader at Mark Twain School for the Talented and Gifted in southern Dallas. His enthusiasm for the Bold Idea courses was infectious, and his mentors commented on his ability to tackle any coding challenge with a determined mindset.
Before joining Bold Idea's after-school Coding Clubs program, Pernell had dabbled in coding using MIT’s Scratch, a visual programming language where students click and drag blocks of code. His goal was always to see how complex he could make his coding projects.
With his past experience, Pernell’s mentors knew he could take on a bigger challenge: Website development, a first among his Coding Club peers. Recently, after months of hard work, he completed his first website project for a company of his own creation - the ‘Shoot for the Stars Travel Agency’.
“When I started website coding it was hard and confusing, but the more I learned, the easier it got,” he said with confidence. “Working with the mentors is fun, and we can talk it out. It’s easy to go through, because they’ve taught me a lot.”
It’s clear that he’s proud of what he created and excited to amaze others with his new skills in HTML, CSS and Javascript coding.
Pernell added that he would tell any other 4th grader that coding is really fun, and they should try it out. At just 10-years old, he’s on a set path to a future in computer science.
“Coding is my dream job!” he said. “I love it!”
Bold Idea exists for students like Pernell and his Coding Club peers, creating access to computer science and changing their beliefs about what they can accomplish.
Meet Elias - Future Computer Science Grad
Elias Land, a 10th-grade student W.H. Adamson High School in Dallas, has been part of Bold Idea’s Coding Clubs for five years. He also participates in the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) at Adamson.
We connected with Elias recently to understand what keeps him coming back to Bold Idea every year and his plans after high school.
Bold Idea: You joined Bold Idea in the 6th grade and now as a 10th grader, you’re still learning to code with Bold Idea each week. What has kept you involved?
Elias: I have always had a passion for computer science. Being able to be a part of Bold Idea allowed me to expand my knowledge about coding, and I kept coming back to do so. I guess the thing that kept me involved was the fact that I was looking forward to creating my own big project (which I am working on this year).
How has Bold Idea changed your confidence and where do you see myself after high school?
Bold Idea has taught me a lot about computer science. Because of it, I believe in myself a lot more about how I can create anything I can think of using HTML, CSS, etc. After high school, I see myself taking on an internship that involves computer science. I want to go to college and study to get a master's degree in computer science (or even get a doctorate for it). I am also interested in criminology and criminal justice, so I want to see if I can get degrees in both and maybe in the future, get a job that incorporates both.
What have you learned or gained from participating in Bold Idea?
Over the past five years that I have been with Bold Idea, I have learned the basic and some advanced skills of HTML, CSS, and a little bit of JavaScript.
What are you looking forward to the most in Coding Club next year?
If I am not able to finish everything that I want to create on my big project, I would want to work on it next year. But overall, I would also love to learn more skills and become advanced in HTML, CSS, and other coding languages if Bold Idea has any to offer.
What is the big project you are working on?
The project I am working on is the creative project, which is a part of the Coding Club. Since I have completed the guided practices and other intro lessons, I am now able to create my own creative project of my own choice. This year I am creating a website that is all about our solar system. So far, it's a great, fun experience.
Are you taking any computer programming or IT courses right now?
In P-TECH, I am also a high school student and a college student, so I am taking classes in Adamson and with Dallas College. There are two different pathways, and I chose Software Development (the other pathway is Networking). This year, I am taking college courses, one each school semester. This semester, I have been taking a fine arts course which is Music Appreciation. Next school semester, I am taking an Introduction to Sociology course. It really won't be until my junior and senior year, I am able to actually go to the college and take courses that actually involve computer science. Junior year, I will be taking a course called "Programming Logic and Design" and "Java Programming". Senior year, I will be taking a course called "Advanced Java Programming" and "Project Management Software".
How can Bold Idea make your learning experience even better?
If there are any internships or events that I could speak at with team members from Bold Idea, I would love to participate in them if I do get the chance. I want to be more involved with this program and maybe someday, come back and be a mentor for incoming students.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
All I want to say is that being in Bold Idea was probably the best decision I've ever made. I have learned a lot from this program and I am grateful for everyone I have met throughout the years and all the knowledge that has been taught to me. I will stay a part of Bold Idea for as long as I can, as a student and as a mentor or guest speaker, if Bold Idea would have me.
Meet 10-year old coder Dalia
Coding helped Jessica break out of her comfort zone
Hands-on learning in coding, presenting to an audience, and a supportive mentor gave Jessica the confidence to believe in herself. "As a person, I’ve definitely grown. As a coder, I’ve been able to think outside the box a lot more often and see things from different perspectives. All because I've been given more perspectives to look at things. It just made my creative self a lot more strong.”
Meet Soren: 9th-Grade Game Developer
Soren decided his future career in the 7th grade - game developer. It was his first year participating in Bold Idea’s weekly computer science program. Over two semesters Soren learned to design games and code them in the Javascript programming language. “That definitely got me thinking about how games are designed and how fun it would be to work on them,” he said. “I got to make my own game and see people have fun playing it. I shared it with a bunch of people at my school, and they all got hooked for a couple days. That was really fun.”
Meet Megan: Solving problems with friends makes coding fun
In her three years with Bold Idea, Megan has learned to embrace problem solving and seek help from her friends or a volunteer mentor. “I felt proud of myself whenever I was confused about something, got help, and then figured it out.” And she has a good response when frustrating problems do come up: “I try to stay calm and work it out. Sometimes I have to take a break.”
Meet Elias: Computer Science Fuels His Creativity
Elias is a creative person. “I like coloring, drawing, painting - creative stuff,” said the Cedar Hill 8th grader. He joined Bold Idea’s ideaSpark program two years ago at his Dallas middle school. He had no idea then that he could be creative with computer science. But that quickly changed with his first project, a mobile app. “I got into it. Just - poof! It all came to me.”
Every Coder Has a Story: Meet MaKayla and Ascension
MaKayla and Ascension are Bold Idea’s oldest students – high schoolers who have been participating in Bold Idea programs for nearly two years. The girls have noticed their perception of computer science evolve in that time. Bold Idea programs have had an impact on their confidence in solving problems and desire to continue creating projects - especially ones that help other people.
