Coding Boot Camp for grades 8 – 12 coming to SUNY New Paltz this summer

SUNY New Paltz is offering a Coding Boot Camp to qualified students in grades 8 through 12 this summer. Classes will run four days a week, three hours a day, with separate morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 – 4 p.m.) sessions from June 28 – July 8.

This unique program will be led by Brian Fediuk, a licensed computer programming educator in the Middletown School District. Students will learn how to program basic games from scratch, using contemporary coding techniques and design standards, and will gain experience creating user interfaces.

“When students code, they start with nothing but the knowledge in their heads,” Fediuk said. “As students apply their knowledge to completing a task, they learn a lot about themselves, and start to develop critical thinking skills at an advanced rate. When it comes to solving problems, coding is a great way for students to gain the skills and experience necessary to approaching the challenge at hand.”

Classes in coding are ideal for students who wish to practice a fundamental skill increasingly required for entry into careers in computer design, programming and engineering. They develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as the self-esteem that comes with learning a new, creative proficiency with diverse career applications.

“Nothing builds confidence faster than creating something from scratch,” said Fediuk. “In this program, students do exactly that. There are no resources for students to import; they create everything from pure code. This means that students bring nothing but their minds to the task, and at the end, they produce something truly remarkable.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the Coding Boot Camp. Applicants should have a computer background that includes familiarity with Windows operating systems, basic keyboarding and basic file management.

Registration is $125 for 24 hours of instruction. Full refunds are available prior to June 15. A certificate of achievement will be awarded to all students who complete the course.

For more information, contact the Office of Extended Learning at (845) 257-2904.