All 3,200 Pre-K through seventh grade students across the seven Zeta Charter Schools on five campuses in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan came together to celebrate National Computer Science Education Week with a “Drop Everything and Code” event on Friday, Dec. 6.
The initiative aims to inspire students to dive deeper into the world of computer science while also equipping them with critical coding skills.
“We were proud to host ‘Drop Everything and Code’ at Zeta as part of National Computer Science Education Week,” Zeta Charter Schools Founder and CEO Emily A. Kim said. “By integrating STEM-based activities like coding into our curriculum, we help students discover their interests, foster creativity and equip them with essential skills to thrive in a modern, technology-driven world.”
At Zeta South Bronx, located at 425 Westchester Ave., 180 middle schoolers gathered in the cafeteria and took part in a hands-on game design workshop using the Minecraft: Voyage Aquatic module. Zeta Board Member Ope Bukola, who is also a former leader of Google Classroom and advocates for leveraging technology to address challenges in the real world, led this session. Bukola guided the sixth and seventh graders to apply coding skills they learned through Zeta’s Innovation Lab — a cutting-edge, world-class STEM curriculum that trains the students in computer science skills through the Code.org platform.
“It was an honor to help lead Zeta’s ‘Hour of Code’ event. Technology has the power to transform education, and as it continues to shape our world, it’s essential for schools to equip students with foundational computer science and coding skills from a young age,” Bukola said. “One thing I love about computer science is how creative it is — if you can dream it, you can build it. Coding gives students the superpower to bring their ideas to life while teaching them critical problem-solving skills and inspiring confidence in their ability to tackle challenges.”
Drop Everything and Code is one of the programs Zeta uses to try and expand the horizons of traditional K-12 education, giving students unique opportunities to explore their interests, increase their confidence and develop joy in learning. Through its dedication to whole-child education, Zeta Charter Schools works to foster creativity and confidence in students to help them reach their limitless potential.
“Seeing our students light up as they debug their code or create something entirely on their own is so rewarding,” Zeta Charter Schools Director of Science and Innovation Rob O’Flaherty said. “This event not only builds their technical skills but also nurtures their confidence, creativity and problem-solving abilities – skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.”
