AI for Kids Curiosity, Coding, and Classroom Innovation (Middle+)
Welcome to AI for Kids! This episode is made for middle grade and up.
Ever wondered how a simple summer program can change the course of your life? This week on AI for Kids, we sit down with Esmeralda "Esme" (pronounced Es-May) Tovar, the Computer Science Education Manager at the Tech Interactive or The Tech, who shares her incredible and somewhat serendipitous journey into the world of computer science education.
From her early love of math and science to being inspired by her self-taught coder uncle, Esme's story is filled with moments of curiosity and discovery. She opens up about the joys of experimentation, the importance of fixing things when they break, and how the Tech Interactive creates hands-on experiences that make STEM approachable and fun for kids. Esme even breaks down complex topics like circuitry into simple, digestible concepts that anyone can understand, making this a must-listen episode for budding tech enthusiasts.
But that's not all! We also dive into how educators are weaving computational thinking and computer science into their classrooms in innovative ways. Picture kindergarteners analyzing data on endangered animals or students using interactive elements to learn about the moon's phases—Esme shares these and more exciting examples.
Plus, we play a fun segment called Tech Trivia, covering fascinating historical milestones in coding languages and computer science. To wrap things up, we underscore the importance of STEM education for children and share numerous ways for kids to get involved, from local science centers to online resources.
Don’t miss our entertaining game of "Two Truths and a Dream," where Esme reveals her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, along with some heartfelt advice for aspiring computer scientists.
Chapter Markers:
- 0:00 AI and Computer Science for Kids
- 11:51 Exploring Technology and Education Integration
- 15:28 Encouraging STEM Education and Exploration
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