New club helps children develop their coding skills

From staff reports

A new club focused on scripting and designing websites and games has formed at the Oil City Library.

“The Code Club is being offered to third through eighth graders,” said Dan Flaherty, executive director of the Oil Regional Library Association. “It will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays through Feb. 27.”

The library is partnering with Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) to put on the Code Club.

The hours will be 3:30 to 5 p.m. and participants are encouraged to “bring your own device,” said Flaherty. While the club activities began Monday, Flaherty said there are still a few slots that remain open for interested young people.

The library received a grant through the Institute of Museum and Library Services that provides access to Prenda’s Coding Software for a year.

Code Club is a self-paced program that teaches students how to script and design websites and games using a variety of different types of coding.

“You can be a master coder or completely new to it and still find enjoyment out of the program,” said the library director.

Additional information is available by calling the library at (814) 676-3072.