Nora is a standout student at CodeWizardsHQ with a passion for coding, a love for learning, and a competitive drive that shines both in the classroom and on the golf course. At just eleven years old, she has already developed a strong foundation in programming, tackled complex coding projects, and competed in high-level golf tournaments. Her journey into the world of technology began with a simple introduction to block coding. Still, her curiosity quickly led her to explore deeper, mastering multiple programming languages and envisioning a future where she blends her interest in robotics with coding.

Discovering Code and CodeWizardsHQ

Nora’s coding journey began in fourth grade when she was first introduced to Scratch. “I remember that in fourth grade we had a few lessons on computer science where we were using Scratch to block code,” she recalls. “That, I think, was the first time I got interested in coding in general.” Her teacher had explained that while Scratch was block-based, “under the hood, it’s like all coding languages.” That realization piqued her interest: “I was interested in using coding languages because that’s the base of everything online.”

Nora’s dad, who has a software background, recognized her growing interest and took the advice of a friend who suggested CodeWizardsHQ. “One of my friends brought it to my attention. He spoke greatly about it, and we thought it would be a good idea for her to try it out, and of course, she liked it.” Once enrolled, Nora quickly embraced the curriculum, enjoying the interactive lessons and hands-on approach. Her excitement for coding continued to grow as she progressed through her courses, reinforcing her passion for programming and technology.

Coding Projects and Future Goals

Now, after nearly a year of classes, Nora has developed a real passion for coding. “I think that coding is a really good way to solidify yourself,” she says. “As computers and software become more and more important to daily life, it’s very useful to know how to code.”

At CodeWizardsHQ, she’s had the opportunity to dive into different programming languages and projects. “Some of my favorite projects have been in the beginning of the HTML and CSS course,” she shares. “I remember there was a project where we had to create a web page. That one was really fun. It introduced me to what the purpose of HTML and CSS is.”

She has also enjoyed her Python courses: “In Beyond Basics with Python, I liked the project where we did the Haunted Treasure project. I loved how it was like a game.” Nora referenced a project where students become treasure hunters in a spooky mansion, coding a game to secure treasure while avoiding ghosts. They learn function parameters, keyboard controls, conditional statements, and collision detection.

When it comes to coding concepts, Nora is especially drawn to front-end development. “I like CSS and HTML because that’s the base of websites,” she explains. “They both go hand in hand. You can’t have CSS without HTML. Well, you can have HTML without CSS; it just doesn’t look very pretty.”

Looking ahead, she has big dreams for what she wants to learn next. “I would love to learn how to code games,” she says. “And code an actual platform where you can have animations and graphics. That would also be cool.” She already has a long-term vision for her future. “I am interested in robots and I know that code is how you give instructions to robots. I’ve always been interested in that, and I do want to turn that into some form of a career.”

A Well-Rounded Student: Academics, Sports, and Hobbies

Beyond coding, Nora has a variety of academic interests. “I like a lot of my subjects, but my two favorites are social studies and science,” she shares. History fascinates her because “You need to know where you came from. You need to learn about the past so that you don’t repeat the same things that happened in the past.” She’s particularly drawn to learning about different civilizations. In science, Nora reports that she loves studying space.

Outside of school, Nora is an accomplished athlete. She has been golfing for seven years and has already made a name for herself in the sport. Competing in the PGA Junior League, she plays regularly and hones her skills through frequent tournaments, often participating in several each month. Her dedication and talent have earned her a spot on an All-Star Team for the last three years, a recognition reserved for the top players in her league. Beyond league play, she takes on independent tournaments to challenge herself further, continuously improving her game. With a strong competitive spirit, Nora is committed to excelling in golf while balancing her many other interests.

Though golf is her main focus now, Nora has also participated in other sports. “She’s an avid swimmer too,” her dad shared. “She started swimming when she was three.” When asked about her favorite stroke, she replies, “Probably backstroke.” She also played volleyball but has since shifted her attention to golf.

In addition to sports, she has creative hobbies. “The other two things that I love to do are drawing and reading,” she says. She’s an avid reader who especially enjoys fantasy books, Harry Potter being a favorite.

A Bright Future Ahead

With so many interests and talents, it’s clear that Nora is an incredibly well-rounded student. Her curiosity, determination, and passion for learning make her an exceptional young coder. Whether she’s building websites, dreaming up video games, or envisioning a future in robotics, she’s sure to do amazing things, and with her competitive edge on the golf course, she proves that she’s just as skilled outside the classroom as she is in it. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next!

Nora is always the first to jump in and answer questions, no matter how challenging they are. In fact, I’ve started saving the toughest ones just for her! If the whole class is stuck, we all know Nora is the one to call for help. She’s not only a brilliant problem solver but also an incredible teammate, always active in class, and eager to support her fellow students.

Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Nora’s Standout Projects

Nora’s Digital Painting

Magical Website

Haunted Treasure Hunt

The post Student Spotlight: Nora appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

This month, we are excited to spotlight Riya, a standout CodeWizardsHQ student with an impressive record. A ninth-grader, she has been with CodeWizardsHQ since 2021 and is currently in her twelfth class. “I haven’t been keeping track,” Riya admitted, but her dedication speaks for itself. Over the years, she has tackled everything from front-end design to database management, building creative, functional projects along the way. With each class, she has continued to grow, proving just how far passion and persistence can take you.

Riya Discovers Coding

Riya’s journey into coding didn’t begin with immediate enthusiasm. “Honestly, at first, I didn’t like coding that much. I thought that the first class I ever took was really difficult.”

Her first experience with coding came before CodeWizardsHQ when she took a few small, one-time classes. It wasn’t until later that she found a program that truly sparked her interest and made coding feel more approachable and engaging.

Finding CodeWizardsHQ: A Perfect Fit

Riya’s mom discovered CodeWizardsHQ while searching for online learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was looking online. We were not able to physically go anywhere. I was also looking through the reviews. This particular program had good reviews online, and we decided to join.”

From the very first session, Riya’s mom knew it was a good fit. “I think it clicked in the first session. We thought that this was a good fit for us and Riya, and it has worked well since then.”

She also emphasized the importance of coding as a necessary skill in today’s world. “I think now coding is essential, no matter what kind of career you choose. It’s important to have that basic understanding.” Riya’s mom noted that as a doctor, she has seen information technology penetrating the medical field. “The newer generation of medical graduates also needs more of this knowledge.”

At first, coding was a challenge, but joining CodeWizardsHQ changed everything. “When I started with CodeWizards, it became really accessible. My teachers helped me break it down and understand it. All the projects are fun.”

She quickly found that coding wasn’t just about learning a new language, it was about creating something exciting. “It’s not only fun to learn about coding, but it’s also fun to make the project and see when you’re done with it, you can play around with it. It’s cool.”

Favorite Classes, Projects, and Languages

With twelve classes behind her, Riya has explored a variety of coding concepts, but some projects stand out as favorites. She especially enjoyed a recent course that focused on building structured, interactive web pages. “The framework one was probably one of my favorites,” she said. She found working with dynamic elements particularly engaging, especially when creating forms and interactive features that respond to user actions. One project she recalled involved designing pop-ups. “That was really fun,” she said, highlighting how much she enjoys coding projects that bring web pages to life.

Another favorite was a music player project, which Riya enjoyed customizing to make it her own. “I added my own colors and songs and information. I had different genres. I had classical, so I had Bach and Mozart. I also put in rock ones, so I had Led Zeppelin and Eagles.” At CodeWizardsHQ, students are encouraged to personalize their projects, allowing them to bring their own creativity and interests into their work. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also helps students take ownership of their coding skills as they see their ideas come to life.

When it comes to programming languages, she enjoys the creativity that comes with web development. “I like working with web pages. I especially enjoy designing them from the CSS aspect. I can be creative.”

She also learned an important skill beyond coding itself: keeping things organized. “I really learned how to keep my code organized so that I could understand it and someone else could understand it. So that was really important for me to learn.”

Future Plans and Career Goals

Looking ahead, Riya has big plans for how she wants to use her skills. “I’m looking forward to making video games. I made a zombie video game and I would like to do more of that later.”

Beyond game development, she is fascinated by space and dreams of working in the field of astronomy. “I’ve been wanting to do something space-related for a while. That was one of the things that made me stick with coding. I’ve been really interested in astronomy or being an astronaut.” For now, she is excited to keep building her skills.

Riya’s Interests Outside of Coding

Outside of coding, Riya has a wide range of interests that keep her busy and creative. In school, she enjoys history, especially American and European history, because she finds it fascinating to see “how things that happened back then led to what’s going on now.”

Her hobbies include drawing, dancing, and music, all of which allow her to express herself in different ways. She takes jazz dance classes at a local school and loves the energy and movement it brings. Music is also a big part of her life, and she enjoys everything from pop to Broadway. “I love listening to Spotify. It’s one of my favorite things,” she said, naming Taylor Swift and musicals like Hamilton and Wicked among her favorites. On top of all that, she stays active by playing tennis. “Playing for fun, just to learn it, you know,” she said, showing her love for trying new things and staying active.

A Bright Future Ahead

Riya’s passion for coding, creativity, and curiosity set her apart. From tackling advanced coding concepts to exploring her many hobbies, she embodies the spirit of a lifelong learner. Whether she is designing websites, building games, or dreaming about the stars, one thing is clear; her future is full of possibilities. It seems her instructor Josh agrees.

Riya is a teacher’s dream student. She stays fully engaged in lessons, consistently completes her homework, and rarely encounters difficulties. Beyond her academic strengths, Riya is outgoing and socially adept. Her positive attitude is contagious, often uplifting the entire class and fostering a supportive, encouraging learning environment.

Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Riya’s Standout Projects

Human Invasion Game

Rock Paper Scissors Game

Meme Generator

The post Student Spotlight: Riya appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Emma is a talented CodeWizardsHQ sixth grader whose passion for coding is matched only by her love for music, dance, and ice skating. With a natural curiosity and a drive to learn, Emma has embraced programming, crafting creative projects that reflect her diverse interests. Her journey with CodeWizardsHQ highlights how supportive parents and the right environment can ignite a child’s potential.

A Spark for Coding at a Young Age

Emma’s first exposure to coding came from watching her dad work from home when she was five or six years old. “I would look at his computer screen with all these colorful lines of code and start asking him questions,” Emma recalled.

Seeing Emma’s interest, her parents decided to enroll her in a Python class at just eight years old. “I was the youngest one, Emma explained, and the teacher didn’t really explain what each function did, so I got a little lost.” Her parents shifted gears and enrolled her in a Scratch class, which proved to be a better fit at the time. “Scratch became too easy,” Emma said.

Discovering CodeWizardsHQ

Emma’s mom, searching for more advanced programs, discovered CodeWizardsHQ. “I think you guys might have popped up on my Facebook while I was screening various programs,” she added. After reviewing different options, she found CodeWizardsHQ appealing because of its curriculum structure. Emma’s dad, a software engineer, appreciated how CodeWizards teaching tools allow students to jump right into real-world programming and added, “I thought the curriculum and how it moves through introducing Python with all the cool apps and libraries to get the kids started but still use Python right away is really nice. Then progressing from there to web pages and CSS and HTML seemed like a good route.”

Creative Coding Journey

Emma has flourished at CodeWizardsHQ, embracing each project with enthusiasm. “I made a Percy Jackson choose-your-own-adventure game with Python that follows the storyline of the first book.” Emma shared.

Another favorite project was a Taylor Swift-themed playlist built with HTML and CSS. Emma explained that the project originally involved making a song player, but she customized it by focusing on Taylor Swift songs. “I made it so it just plays Taylor Swift songs,” Emma said. She also enjoyed creating a fortune cookie game. “It was cool because you didn’t know what message you were going to get. I added some funny fortunes.”

Emma’s dad has been particularly pleased with the CodeWizardsHQ platform. “I’ve been really impressed when she’s shared projects with me…When she has a bug, it’s interesting to see how the platform helps her figure things out.“

Emma’s passion for learning keeps her curious and engaged across her coding activities. She is currently in her fifth class, a Wizard Level I Capstone course. Reflecting on her favorite coding languages, she said, “I really enjoyed learning CSS because you can learn how to decorate websites and make them look good.” She’s eager to expand her skills even further. “I’m really looking forward to learning JavaScript because I want to see how it’s different from HTML and Python.”

A Multifaceted Talent

Outside of coding, Emma excels in other areas. “My favorite subjects are math and orchestra,” she said. “I like math because it’s objective. There’s only one right answer. I like orchestra because music is what feelings sound like, and it’s sometimes easier to communicate with music rather than words.” Emma plays the harp and is one of four harpists at her school. “It’s really unique. Not many people play the harp, so it feels special.” In addition to the harp, Emma plays the piano and ukulele. She started playing piano at age four and ukulele two years ago. “I like playing instruments. It’s fun to learn new songs,” Emma said.

Emma is also active in dance, participating in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop. “Modern is my favorite because there aren’t as many rules. You can just move to the music,” she said. Emma is also active in ice skating. She enjoys practicing and skating for fun in her free time. Girl Scout participation rounds out Emma’s busy schedule. In fact, she recently exceeded all expectations by selling over 1,000 boxes of cookies in their annual cookie sales drive.

Looking to the Future

When asked about her future, Emma is still exploring. “I’m not really sure what I want to do yet, but I do enjoy coding, and I want to keep learning,” she said. “It’s an option. It’s up there.”

Emma’s curiosity and excitement for learning drive her to take on new challenges in coding, music, and dance. She enjoys building creative projects, exploring different fields, and developing new skills along the way. Emma is building a strong foundation for future opportunities as she continues to grow and learn. Her passion for coding and eagerness to improve will help her succeed in whatever path she chooses.

Emma’s instructor, Josh, appreciates her dedication and enjoys how she consistently goes beyond expectations.

Emma consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and enthusiasm in class. She often arrives early, engaging in conversations that reflect her well-rounded interests. Her projects are a step above, especially her latest interactive game, which she’s been expanding across several courses.

Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Emma’s Standout Projects

Wizard Quest Game

Music Player

Fortune Cookie App

The post Student Spotlight: Emma appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Meet Rehan, a CodeWizardsHQ student who has earned his place in the spotlight for excelling as a coding student and transforming his passion for programming into a way to inspire others. A talented tenth grader who has completed over ten coding courses, Rehan discovered coding in first grade and has since grown into a skilled coder and mentor, teaching middle schoolers through a coding club at his school. With the structured support of CodeWizardsHQ and his natural affinity for coding, Rehan’s journey highlights how dedication and curiosity can evolve into leadership, allowing him to share his skills and inspire the next generation of coders.

A Natural Talent for Coding

Rehan’s journey began early in his academic life. In first grade, a computer class introduced him to programming with a tool called Terrapin Logo. “We had to write commands to move a turtle. It was very basic, but that was my first experience with it,” Rehan recalled. This experience showed him how coding worked, and he quickly realized he had a knack for it.

That knack for problem-solving and logic extended beyond coding. Rehan shared, “I also have similar interests with math and, I guess, things involving logic like that.” By the third grade, a coding teacher further fueled his passion for programming. “He was funny, and the way he taught us made everyone look up to him,” Rehan said. That teacher’s encouragement helped solidify Rehan’s early fascination with programming and set him on a path toward deeper exploration.

Discovering CodeWizardsHQ

When Rehan’s father heard about CodeWizardsHQ through a friend’s recommendation, he decided to enroll his son. It turned out to be a perfect fit. Rehan thrived in the program, progressing through courses that built on each other and deepened his knowledge.

His father appreciated the structured approach, saying, “It has a good set of building blocks that build upon what’s taught from one course to the next.” He also pointed to features like recorded sessions that help students stay on track. “Sometimes he misses a class, so the class is recorded for him to go through, which is also very helpful.”

The program’s combination of supportive instructors, well-designed curriculum, and engaging projects has allowed Rehan to flourish. His father summed it up: “The curriculum and the teachers have been great. I think the structure and the way the platform disseminates information are very good.”

A Portfolio of Impressive Projects

Rehan has completed a wide range of projects during his time at CodeWizardsHQ, and each has left a lasting impression on him. One of his earliest favorites was Castle Quest, a game he built as part of his first class. “That was one of my favorites,” Rehan said, describing the challenge and excitement of creating something from scratch.

Another standout was a game he developed during his Level I Capstone Course. “It was a game where you have a character, and enemies are moving up and down or left and right, and you have to get to the other side,” Rehan explained. This project reinforced his love for problem-solving and logic.

Most recently, Rehan worked on a meme generator as part of the Mastering APIs Course, and cited it as a favorite project. These projects not only reflect Rehan’s technical growth but also his creativity and ability to tackle increasingly complex challenges.

From Student to Teacher

Rehan’s passion for coding doesn’t stop with his learning. As a member of his school’s coding club, he has taken on the role of teaching coding to middle school students. The club offers classes in beginner and intermediate Python, Java, web development, and even machine learning.

Rehan’s teaching efforts go beyond coding skills. “I love seeing them interested in coding,” he said. “Some of them go really far and beyond with their projects.” However, he acknowledged that teaching isn’t always easy. “Not everyone wants to learn,” he explained. “You have to find ways to engage or interest them.”

Rehan’s father is especially proud of this experience, noting how it’s teaching his son valuable life skills. “It’s not just about coding,” he said. “He’s learning how to work with different personalities and how to interact with people who may not be as interested or engaged. That’s an important skill.”

Beyond the Classroom

Outside of coding, Rehan is equally impressive. He has been playing the piano for seven years and enjoys playing Bollywood music. “It’s different from Western music, but I really enjoy it,” he said. This unique blend of musical tradition showcases Rehan’s creativity and dedication to learning new things.

Rehan has also participated in activities like chess and table tennis, though his busy high school schedule has shifted his focus to academic and extracurricular pursuits. He’s an active member of his school’s web development club, where he continues to explore his interest in creating dynamic websites.

Looking Ahead

As Rehan prepares to transition into higher-level courses at CodeWizardsHQ, he’s excited about what’s next. His upcoming class, which includes Flask, a Python-based web framework, will give him new tools to enhance his web development skills. “I’ve heard Flask is used to make websites with Python, and I think it will help me create even better websites,” he said.

When asked about his long-term goals, Rehan admitted he’s still exploring his options but knows he wants to keep building and creating. “Right now, I’m looking towards building websites or apps,” he said. “I think I’ll focus on those areas since I have the most experience with them.”

A Journey of Growth and Leadership

Rehan’s journey highlights the power of curiosity and dedication to open doors to new opportunities. From excelling in his CodeWizardsHQ courses to mentoring younger students, he has transformed his passion for coding into a way to inspire and lead others. His achievements so far are just the beginning, and with his drive and talent, Rehan has a bright future ahead in the world of technology.

Rehan’s outstanding performance in class has earned him high praise from his instructor, Josh.

Rehan consistently demonstrates exceptional initiative and problem-solving skills. I recall him completing a homework assignment swiftly and then tackling an additional challenge I presented. Not only did he solve it, but his approach was remarkably elegant—surpassing my own! He actively contributes in class discussions and generously supports his peers in the forum, exemplifying both leadership and collaboration.

Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Rehan’s Standout Projects

Castle Quest Game

Wizard Game

Meme Generator

The post Student Spotlight: Rehan appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

We’re excited to feature ninth-grader Simon, in this month’s Student Spotlight! Simon’s passion for technology and coding has grown significantly since joining CodeWizardsHQ. His curiosity, hard work, and creativity make him an inspiring example of what’s possible with dedication and the right tools. These qualities, along with his drive to continuously learn and innovate, have earned him a well-deserved place in the spotlight.

Simon’s Coding Journey: How It All Started

Simon’s journey into the world of coding started at an early age with a natural curiosity about technology and automation. He remembers being fascinated by the idea of creating things on his own, even as a young child. “When I was little, I’d always create little automations on my phone or in Scratch,” Simon recalled. “I would constantly be playing around with block coding.” His early explorations weren’t limited to just visual programming tools like Scratch. He also dabbled in Notion formulas and other simple languages, eager to understand how things worked behind the scenes.

At the time, Simon didn’t fully connect these early experiments with the broader world of text-based programming, but they laid the foundation for what would become a deeper passion. His interest truly took off when he discovered Python. “Once I found Python, that started the spark,” Simon said. Python’s simplicity and versatility opened up new possibilities for Simon, giving him a clear path to dive deeper into coding and explore its real-world applications. From then on, Simon’s interest in coding grew, setting him on the path to further his skills with CodeWizardsHQ, where his passion for problem-solving, creativity, and technology continues to thrive.

Simon’s mom explained how they discovered CodeWizardsHQ: “A friend of ours has a son one year older than Simon, and he’s really into technology. They spoke highly of CodeWizardsHQ, and that’s how we got hooked over the summer,” she said. Simon advanced rapidly, completing three semesters of classes in just one summer. With the help of CodeWizardsHQ’s accelerated summer program, he was able to dive deep into his coursework and make significant progress in a short amount of time.

For Simon, what stands out about CodeWizardsHQ is the depth of resources and the quality of the instruction. “There’s a lot of resources available. You get a lot of one-on-one time with the instructors, and the concepts are explained really well. You get good fundamentals at the same time as learning new things, and the material is really easy to digest. It’s more informative and has more material than other courses I’ve done,” Simon shared.

Favorite Projects: Exploring Creativity in Code

Simon’s enthusiasm for coding really shines when he talks about his favorite projects. One of his highlights was a blackjack game he developed. “I decided to go on my own and research some modules to make the code more dynamic. I wanted to use an actual deck, not just pick a random number, so I learned about sets and stuff like that. It was a lot of fun,” Simon said. His desire to push beyond the scope of class assignments speaks to his passion for learning and creativity.

Another standout project for Simon was creating a chatbot, which sparked his interest in artificial intelligence. “Before that project, I hadn’t really dabbled in AI or learning models. But once I started, it lit a fire for me to learn more,” Simon said. He also added his own unique touch to the project by incorporating animations and even programming paper airplanes to move across the screen.

In one class project that involved building a contact manager, Simon took things a step further by integrating ASCII art. “I took an image from the web and converted it into ASCII art,” he explained.

Future Aspirations: Looking Ahead

Simon’s passion for coding doesn’t stop at the present—he has big plans for the future. “I’m definitely going to try my hardest to work in the software engineering field or the computer science field. I really like problem-solving and puzzle math, so this is what I’m interested in,” Simon shared.

He’s already applying his skills to more advanced topics, including artificial intelligence. “Right now, I’m working on a project where I’m using what I learned in my advanced Python and AI courses to create a weather predictor. I’m going to run the code every day and compare the results with the weatherman’s predictions,” Simon said.

When it comes to school, Simon’s favorite subject is math. “I do quite a lot of math competitions, and I’m trying to optimize my grades to get into Waterloo University,” Simon explained. He also mentioned his father’s background in business, which has sparked an interest in the field for him.

Life Beyond Coding: A Well-Rounded Student

Outside of coding, Simon keeps himself busy with a variety of activities. “If I have a minute open in my day, I’m going to take it. If it’s not coding, it’s writing an article about coding, recording a video, or writing a newsletter,” Simon said. He’s currently working on a project to launch a coding newsletter that will offer daily challenges for beginners, intermediate, and advanced coders.

Simon is also an active athlete, participating in sports like ping-pong and tennis. “I picked up ping-pong recently, and I started winning,” he shared. His school has a ping-pong club, and he enjoys competing and refining his skills. “The skills are transferable from tennis,” Simon added.

During the winter, Simon has a unique activity lined up—he’s preparing to start ski coaching. “I passed my Level One certification this year, so I’ll be coaching this season. It’s something I’m really excited about,” Simon said.

Simon’s Coding Journey: A Path of Growth and Discovery

Simon’s journey with CodeWizardsHQ has been one of growth and discovery. His passion for coding, combined with his drive to explore new areas like artificial intelligence, highlights his dedication to learning and problem-solving. As he continues to build on his skills, Simon remains focused on his future aspirations in software engineering and computer science. His ability to blend creativity and technical expertise makes him a standout student and a source of inspiration for others. The future looks bright for Simon, and his coding journey is just beginning.

Simon’s outstanding performance in class has earned him high praise from his instructor, Anaiti.

Simon leaves me speechless every time. I have never seen a student as motivated and determined as he is. He will tweak or modify even simple projects to have unique fun logic or extra features. He’s always twenty steps ahead of us and will read the documentation in his free time on what we are currently learning and what our next class may entail! He’s always hungry to learn and perfect his algorithms logic in all his projects. He is an absolute programming PRODIGY!

Anaiti Arauz, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Simon’s Standout Projects

Twenty-one Game

Paper Airplanes Chatbot

Space Data

The post Student Spotlight: Simon appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

In this month’s Student Spotlight, we’re excited to feature Fin, a passionate and talented ninth-grader with a love for coding and an adventurous spirit. Fin’s journey with CodeWizardsHQ began in seventh grade, and over the past couple of years, he has excelled in his coding classes while balancing many other interests and activities. Fin’s curiosity and drive to take his coding projects to new heights have earned him recognition for a Student Spotlight.

The First Spark of Coding

Fin’s interest in coding came from a natural curiosity about how things work. He recalls, “I think since sixth grade, that’s when I really started getting into STEM. I wanted to know why does this game do this? Why does this website do this? Why do computers work? Eventually, I figured out that code was what was running them, and I just wanted to make them work.”

His mother recalls the steps she took to find the right coding program for him. “Fin just told me that he wanted to learn coding. So I did an Internet search, looked through websites, called different places, and landed on CodeWizardsHQ.” She liked how the courses were structured and easy to follow. “He really wanted to learn Python and just get going,” she explained.

Fin and his mother both speak highly of their experience with CodeWizardsHQ, from the structured courses to the teachers. His mother mentions, “He had an instructor when he first started who was awesome. He bonded with him, and it was a fun class.” She also highlights how every new class has continued to build on Fin’s enthusiasm for coding. Fin recently moved from the middle to high school track. “We are so happy with his new class on the high school track. He really likes it, and we just signed up for the next one because it’s going so well.”

Coding Projects That Stand Out

When asked about his favorite projects at CodeWizardsHQ, Fin highlighted the ones he completed during his Interactive JavaScript class, especially enjoying the game-making aspect. He also loved creating a travel journal for his User Interface Development class and a Python-based calculator. Fin has also taken his coding skills to the next level with collaborative projects and by creating tools that support his hobbies.

Fin spoke proudly about a project created with fellow students. It was a Python Casino. “It started on the Forum as a group project. We made games in Python, and then I made a website that linked everything when I first learned HTML,” Fin shared. This casino project was a collaborative effort with fellow students, showcasing Fin’s creativity and initiative.

This collaboration is an excellent example of what CodeWizardsHQ students can achieve on the Student Forum, a moderated online community at CodeWizardsHQ where students can connect with each other, work on and share projects, get homework help, or just socialize. It also serves to foster teamwork and leadership skills.

Another project Fin takes pride in is a dive log he created, inspired by his scuba diving hobby. “He actually worked on a dive log,” his mother shares. “We went away on spring break, he did some diving, and decided to make a dive log.” Combining his love for the ocean with his coding skills was a natural and exciting challenge for Fin.

Fin’s favorite skills so far include making interactive websites. “I like the backend a bit more… making it work rather than showing all of the front page and all that stuff,” he shares, preferring the behind-the-scenes work that powers websites and applications.

Interests Outside of Coding

Outside of coding, Fin has a variety of hobbies that keep him busy. He’s passionate about rock climbing and has been climbing since he started with CodeWizardsHQ. “I really enjoy rock climbing. I go to a gym, and I’m on a team there,” he says.

Fin’s love for the water also plays a big role in his life. “I like all water sports. I just really love ocean and lake activities, like wakeboarding, surfing, and scuba diving,” he shares. He and his dad were scuba certified in Honduras, and they’ve continued their diving adventures, even participating in a coral restoration project. Whether it’s in the water, on a climbing wall, or at the keyboard, Fin seems always eager to learn new skills and push his limits.

Looking Toward the Future

As Fin continues his coding journey, he has big plans for the future. “In my future, I want to work with mechanical engineering and robots, and coding is obviously good for that,” he says. He’s also looking forward to learning more about databases. “I’m looking forward to learning about databases and SQL… I remember playing a game, and it saved, and when I came back, I could play it again. That’s when I went searching on the Internet about how that worked and I saw that it was using a database.”

Fin’s journey with coding will no doubt continue to play a central role in his life. Whether it’s mechanical engineering, robotics, or developing more complex projects, he’s excited to keep learning and applying his coding skills. “Now I think just being able to make the projects I want to make is probably what I want to do,” he says.

Fin is a perfect example of how curiosity and a desire to learn can open up endless opportunities. He continues to push his boundaries, not only in coding but in all areas of life, and it’s clear that he has a bright future ahead. It seems his instructor Devin agrees.

Fin is funny and engaging, and a great storyteller. He is able to give you enough details as a listener to really see his story. He seems to have a deep understanding of the tools we use in class and has great intuition about which tool to use in each situation. He is determined to learn and experiment with coding no matter what, and it is clear that he spends significant time outside of class learning, researching, and experimenting.

Devin Turner, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Fin’s Standout Projects

Calculator Project

Travel Journal

Python Casino Website

Dive Journal

The post Student Spotlight: Fin appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

When it comes to coding, siblings Dhriti age 10 and Dhrupad age 14 have set themselves apart with their exceptional abilities and shared love for technology. Despite their age difference, both siblings have demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for programming, consistently excelling in their courses. However, while coding brings them together, their interests and passions outside the digital world showcase their unique personalities and diverse talents.

The First Coding Spark

Both Dhriti and Dhrupad showed an early interest in programming. Dhrupad’s interest in coding was sparked by his curiosity about how websites and games are built and fixed. “Whenever there was an error on a website or game, I wondered how someone would fix it,” he explains, “then I found out about coding.”

Dhrupad’s sister, Dhriti, first became interested in coding in the third grade. “I started wondering how the software I used in school and the games I played worked. I really wanted to know how to build them,” she recalls.

Their dad, who has a programming background, was on a mission to find the perfect coding platform for his children to support their interests. “I was looking for something interactive, not just recorded sessions,” he explains. “I wanted a platform where they could interact, ask questions, and have a hands-on experience. I didn’t want the kids to lose interest in learning by getting bogged down with technical setups.” His search led him to CodeWizardsHQ, an online platform that checked all the boxes.

“Initially, I enrolled Dhrupad, and after seeing how well the classes matched what I was looking for, I soon enrolled Dhriti too,” he shares. The decision paid off as both children thrived under the structured yet engaging curriculum of CodeWizardsHQ.

Dhrupad’s Coding Path

That early curiosity about how to fix games and websites has paid off for Dhrupad. Now entering ninth grade, Dhrupad has spent over a year and a half honing his coding skills at CodeWizardsHQ. He is currently in his seventh class, Interactive JavaScript, and is particularly interested in randomized functions. “It’s interesting how the system can generate something random,” he said.

One of Dhrupad’s favorite projects has been a balloon buster game he created in Python. “It took a lot of effort, so it was very satisfying to finish it,” he said. He has also created a Harry Potter-themed newspaper and a rock-paper-scissors game, both of which showcase his growing skills in coding.

Dhrupad’s coding skills are not just limited to his classes. He has started incorporating coding into his school projects, demonstrating a practical application of what he’s learned. This approach reflects his growing understanding of how coding can be a powerful tool in various aspects of life.

Looking ahead, Dhrupad is eager to expand his coding knowledge, particularly in areas such as web design and game development. He recognizes the potential of coding in any career path that he chooses, especially in healthcare, where he hopes to make contributions using his coding skills.

Dhriti’s Jouney Into Coding

Fifth grader Dhriti is now in her sixth CodeWizardsHQ class, Beyond Basics With Python. As Dhriti has advanced through her coding classes, she has particularly enjoyed working with input functions, which have allowed her to make her projects interactive and engaging. “I thought it was fun to interact with the user through my code,” she said. 

One of her favorite projects has been a candy store simulation where she used input functions to ask the user how many pieces of candy they wanted to buy. “It was really fun,” she said. Another project she enjoyed was a small pet adoption center, where the user could choose a pet to adopt. “I used an input function to ask the user which pet they would like, and they chose a pet. The animals were really cute in that one.” Dhriti adds.

Dhriti’s enthusiasm for coding inspires her to go the extra mile with her projects. At CodeWizardsHQ, students are encouraged to customize their projects. This helps to motivate and engage students. Dhriti is constantly seeking to customize and improve her projects. “I hope to learn to customize projects more,” Dhriti shares, reflecting her commitment to expanding her skill set and becoming even more proficient in coding. She knows that these skills will be valuable in her career as well. Like her brother, she is considering a future in healthcare.

Live Outside of the Coding Classroom

Beyond coding, Dhriti is a multi-talented student. She plays the piano, sings Indian classical music, and has recently started learning the violin. She also enjoys swimming, biking, reading, and even hand-knitting, a skill she picked up over the summer. “I’ve knitted three blankets so far,” she proudly shares. Dhriti is also passionate about writing and is currently working on a fantasy book that she hopes to publish.

Dhrupad is not just a coder; he’s also a musician, athlete, and martial artist. He plays the alto saxophone in the varsity marching band, swims competitively, and holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. “I enjoy swimming a little more,” he admits, although he continues to excel in both swimming and Taekwondo. Outside of his physical pursuits, Dhrupad is an avid reader, with a preference for fantasy novels. He’s currently tackling “The Hobbit,” which he finds challenging but rewarding.

Dhriti and Dhrupad: Coding Their Way to a Bright Future

As Dhriti and Dhrupad continue their journey with CodeWizardsHQ, one thing is clear: their shared love for coding, combined with their unique individual interests, will pave the way for exciting futures in whatever fields they choose to pursue. Whether they’re creating digital masterpieces or exploring the world of medicine, these two young coders are ready to take on whatever challenges come their way, armed with the skills and confidence that a strong foundation in coding can provide. It seems that their instructors agree.

Dhrupad is a dedicated programming student who consistently demonstrates a strong aptitude for coding and problem-solving. He has a knack for coding and a bright future ahead of him.

Brian, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Dhriti is always early to class, participates in many questions, and tries to help other students debug their code. She always goes above and beyond with her homework and bonus exercises and is truly an inspiring and wonderful girl. I am honored to be her coding instructor and so glad to have her at CodeWizards!

Anaiti, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Dhrupad’s Standout Projects

Castle Quest

Wizard Game

Harry Potter Newspaper

Dhriti’s Standout Projects

Magic Wizard Calculator

Candy Shop

Pet Adoption Center

The post Student Spotlight: Dhrupad and Dhriti appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

In the world of young coding enthusiasts, Abe stands out not only for his coding prowess but also for his multifaceted talents. At just 14 years old, he has made an impressive mark at CodeWizardsHQ for his exceptional class participation, his knack for helping others, and his extensive array of accomplishments outside of the classroom. We are thrilled to honor Abe with a Student Spotlight.

Abe’s Coding Journey

Abe’s journey into the realm of coding began in sixth grade when a school typing program introduced him to computer programming. This exposure sparked a curiosity that propelled him into the world of programming languages, starting with Scratch and quickly advancing to text-based languages like Python. His passion for coding blossomed as he delved deeper, understanding that coding is much like learning a new language but with the power to create and control digital environments. He explained his reasoning for learning to code: “It’s like learning another language. I know computers and other devices play a huge roll in our everyday lives. So I decided to give programming a try.”

His mother discovered CodeWizardsHQ through a Facebook advertisement, which she stumbled upon while searching for suitable educational resources. “First, it was affordable,” she recalled, “and Abe is homeschooled and everything is online. So it was quite convenient to do his computer class online as well.” The decision to enroll Abe was straightforward, given the program’s alignment with their homeschooling approach and his interests.

Thriving at CodeWizardsHQ

Now in his seventh CodeWizardsHQ class, Abe’s mom has been pleased with the program. “CodeWizards teachers have made a great impact on him. He has learned so much, and the coordinators are friendly and quite efficient. The program is just excellent. We love it.”

At CodeWizardsHQ, Abe has thrived, showcasing his skills across various projects that have not only challenged him but also allowed him to explore the extensive capabilities of coding. With so many classes completed, Abe has a long list of favorite CodeWizards projects.

“I liked the Rock Paper Scissors project That was in my second course, Beyond Basics With Python. I enjoyed the Wizard Game and About Me projects from the Capstone course. In the Responsive Web Development course, the Tree Gallery was really nice and also very challenging.”

Abe’s plans for the future are as ambitious as they are inspiring. He aims to harness his coding skills towards a career in computer science, focusing on areas like game development and software programming and potentially working on artificial intelligence and mobile applications. Given his track record and the support from CodeWizardsHQ, there is little doubt that Abe is on a path to making significant impacts in the tech world.

A Multitalented Student

Beyond coding, Abe is a true Renaissance youth. He enjoys writing essays and stories. He writes technology action stories and likes to express his imagination through fiction. He also enjoys vlogging or video blogging. He has composed a library of videos on topics ranging from technology reviews to coding project creations and software comparisons.

Abe is also a musician. He has played the cello since 2021, but his musical interests don’t stop there. He also plays the guitar, ukulele, violin, and kalimba, showcasing a strong inclination towards string instruments. In an impressive display of creativity, Abe is even crafting his own homemade instrument, a ukulele designed to look like a banjo.

Abe is an accomplished athlete. His achievements in Taekwondo are significant, where he holds a third-degree black belt. This discipline complements his coding by teaching patience, precision, and dedication—qualities that are equally applicable to programming. He also participates in swimming activities with freestyle, his favorite stroke. 

A Bright Future

Abe’s story at CodeWizardsHQ is not just about a student excelling in coding; it’s about a young individual with a voracious appetite for learning and an amazing ability to juggle multiple disciplines. His journey underscores the importance of a supportive educational environment that adapts to individual learning styles and interests, which CodeWizardsHQ aims to provide for each of its students.

As Abe continues to explore and excel in his varied interests, CodeWizardsHQ celebrates his achievements and looks forward to seeing what he will accomplish next. His story is an example for other young learners, showing that with passion, dedication, and the right opportunities, the sky is the limit. His instructor, Justin, sings his praises as well.

Abe is always volunteering to share homework and extra information about coding topics. He also continues to apply previous things that we have learned in current courses and his own projects that he also likes to share with the class. He has a huge appetite for learning and asking questions.

Justin Broussard, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Abe’s Standout Projects

Rock, Paper, Scissors Game

Wizard Game

About Me

Tree Gallery

The post Student Spotlight: Abe appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Meet Kiera, a young coding enthusiast who discovered her passion for programming at the age of eight through a school STEM program. Starting with Scratch, Kiera quickly fell in love with the creative possibilities of coding. Her early experiences have set her on a promising path in the digital world.

Kiera’s Coding Journey

Kiera’s coding education began when her family moved to a new area. They were looking for ways for her to enhance her programming abilities and decided to enroll her in a local coding center. “When we moved here, we saw a place where she could go in person and do some coding, and she really enjoyed it,” her mom explains. Unfortunately, the center closed down, prompting her family to search for alternatives. “My husband researched and found CodeWizardsHQ online and read great reviews about it, so we decided to sign her up for one of the classes,” her mom added.

The decision to choose CodeWizardsHQ was influenced not only by the positive reviews but also by the variety of classes offered. Kiera had already developed a certain level of proficiency, and they were able to place her in a class that matched her skills. “She just kind of comes by it naturally. She’s very logical,” Kiera’s mom explained. “I do data analysis for work, and she has seen some of the stuff that I do, and she just naturally gets it. When we put some options out there for different activities, coding was one that she was drawn to and wanted to try.”

Thriving at CodeWizardsHQ

The experience with CodeWizardsHQ has been overwhelmingly positive for Kiera and her family. “Registration has been easy, and we appreciate the weekly emails that show us her progress and what they covered in class,” her mom said. These updates help the family keep track of Kiera’s homework and quizzes. Kiera also shares her class projects with her parents, showcasing her coding skills and the games she creates.

Kiera relates why she is drawn to coding and technology. “I like puzzles and logic, and I enjoyed learning about technology. When I heard about coding, I decided to give it a try, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.” Kiera is now 11 and enrolled in her fifth class at CodeWizards, Modular Programming with Python. 

Kiera enjoys projects that allow for creativity within a structured framework. CodeWizardsHQ instructors encourage students to personalize their programming projects. This helps to inspire and motivate students along their coding journey. “My favorite projects are when the slides give us a basic assignment, and then we get to make it our own,” she said. She particularly enjoyed a recent trivia project and a dinosaur restaurant project where they randomized the food orders.

She also likes working with data, specifically as it relates to dictionaries and lists. She is looking forward to learning more text-based programming with Python and sees herself eventually in a behind-the-scenes IT career.

Beyond Coding: Diverse Interests

Beyond her coding classes, Kiera has a variety of interests. Her favorite school subjects are math and social studies. Kiera has participated in gymnastics for several years, focusing on floor and trampoline exercises. “I like just bouncing really high and flying through the air,” she said. Kiera also enjoys reading realistic fiction. Additionally, Kiera helps coach her younger brother’s baseball team, handling stats and assisting in the dugout.

Kiera has recently started participating in local theater, specifically managing lights for community theater productions. “The system we use is kind of like what a DJ would use,” she explained. Kiera’s role in theater involves both programming and running the light shows, which she finds to be a unique and enjoyable experience. “On show days, it’s just me sitting there through a three-hour musical, hitting the light queue the entire time,” she said. This experience has given her a unique skill set that complements her coding abilities. 

As Kiera continues to explore her interests and develop her skills, she remains an enthusiastic and dedicated student at CodeWizardsHQ. Her journey in coding is just beginning, and her story is a testament to the power of finding the right educational opportunities and the impact of supportive parents and teachers. Kiera’s future in coding and technology looks bright, and we are excited to see where her journey takes her. Her instructor, Tyler Crocker agrees.

The most fulfilling part of teaching Kiera is her ability to take our concepts and relate it to her experiences from life. Not only does it help me by giving me more examples to use for other classes but it helps her classmates get another perspective of the concept. This really shows in her code work and the questions she asks as well! Kiera has a great ability to apply herself and I am certain her hard work will drive her to excel at anything she tries.

Tyler Crocker, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Kiera’s Standout Projects

Python Trivia Game

Python Treasure Hunt

Scratch Paint App

The post Student Spotlight: Kiera appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

At just 15 years old, Lacey, a CodeWizardsHQ high school student, has already shown an impressive talent for coding, sparked by an early curiosity about how her favorite video game worked. This curiosity quickly grew into a deep passion for programming, which has been further developed through her coding education and an engaging hobby, robotics. As we delve into Lacey’s journey, her story is not just about coding but about how a young mind can transform curiosity into substantial skills and achievements.

The Spark of Interest

Lacey remembers when she was first inspired to learn to code. “I saw Five Nights at Freddy’s, and thought it was really cool. I decided that I wanted to be a game developer. I just really thought it would be fun.”

Lacey’s dad recognized the importance of encouraging his daughter’s interest in coding. “You want to foster those interests whenever you can when they happen; otherwise, they might go away before you know it. When she started expressing interest in that type of thing, I decided that it was time to try and find something that would foster that learning.”

An online search led Lacey’s dad to CodeWizardsHQ. That was four years and thirteen classes ago. Today, Lacey is immersed in her fourteenth CodeWizards class, Object Relational Mapping. In Object-Relational Mapping (ORM), students are taught to utilize ORM libraries to facilitate interactions with databases. 

Projects and Progress

Lacey has achieved quite a bit during her tenure at CodeWizards, but her dad was impressed with her learning from the start. “Early on, she was showing us her projects and what she was able to do with different graphics and countdown timers, making rockets lift off, and things like that. It was exciting to see, because she was pretty young when she did that, and it was kind of impressive.”

Throughout her time in the program, Lacey has completed countless projects, with a particular fondness for those that allowed her to explore her creativity and technical skills. Her favorite projects have included a Paintball Game middle school project and a meme generator that she created in CodeWizards high school APIs and Databases class. Lacey remarked that she enjoys working with databases and learning how they interact with websites.

Integrating Coding With Robotics

Lacey’s coding skills have been further applied and expanded in the realm of robotics, where she not only participates but excels. Her involvement in robotics competitions has allowed her to integrate her coding skills with hands-on engineering tasks, contributing significantly to her team. Lacey contributes to her team in other ways as well, making marketing materials and a logo and participating in a judged speaking presentation. Her work helped earn her team the Impact Award. The Impact Award is the most prestigious award in FIRST Robotics. It honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST.

When Lacey’s robotics team ascended to the World Championship in Texas this year, Lacey took a little CodeWizards with her. Lacey leveraged code from the CodeWizardsHQ Paintball Game. She developed a new game to be played by participants during downtime at the competition. “I used some of the code from the Paintball Project to make a game that was based on last year’s challenge,” Lacey explained. This ability to repurpose and adapt her coding knowledge highlights the creative and practical applications of her skills. People from all over the world were playing her video game on her laptop, which started with a CodeWizards project.

Beyond Coding

Lacey’s interests and talents extend beyond the digital screen. She is an avid reader with a love for languages, currently enjoying French while also learning Italian. She is looking forward to camp this summer and engaging in activities like horseback riding. Lacey is also busy taking care of two new miniature Australian shepherd puppies, Rosie and Berry.

Looking Ahead

As Lacey looks to the future, her path remains open. While she is uncertain about the specific direction her career might take, one thing is clear: coding will be a significant part of her life. “I don’t know yet, but I know that I am definitely going be doing robotics for a long while,” she asserts, indicating her intent to continue exploring the possibilities that coding and technology present.

CodeWizardsHQ is proud to shine a light on Lacey, an exceptional student, both in and out of the coding classroom, and we are thrilled that she continues to be part of our coding family. It seems that her instructor, Tyler Crocker, agrees.

Lacey is a motivated individual and a wonder to have in class. She will often do extra work to find new ways to alter our projects to suit her needs. Lacey could be described as a “technical Loki” of sorts, so often, these “improvements” are unexpected but fun. In class she is not afraid to answer questions and, better yet, get them wrong. The idea that “failure is a step towards success” is hard to teach but not lost on Lacey. I can’t wait to see where Lacey’s path leads in the future!

Tyler Crocker, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor

Lacey’s Standout Projects

Paintball Game

Meme Generator

The post Student Spotlight: Lacey appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.