One time offer about to expire! Code Central offers online sessions with a live instructor at 20% off ongoing monthly sessions. We have many friends in this accredited program who are unable to do in-person. They have made new friends through these group sessions and created their own programs and games with the personal and inspirational 1:1 private online sessions.
Coding. We all hear about it, talk about local places to sign our kids up at park day and swap stories of what our kids have completed in a coding class. But, let’s be honest, most of us really don’t know what the buzz is all about when it comes to coding and our kids’ passion for it.
I found Code Central through the Vegas Kids Zone Facebook group after talking to parents who were sharing their kids’ experiences. After checking it out myself, I was wowed with the program, almost as much as my son was, and by how they approached coding.
I reached out to Code Central co-founder Eric Mendelsohn and loved this local family’s story of how they created Code Central and their unique program that lets kids code at their own pace and spark their joy of learning in so many ways.
“It’s been incredible to watch kids really grow with our program,” said Mendelsohn, who makes a point to work with local charities and organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, Grant a Gift Autism foundation, as well as local schools. “We know it’s important for kids and parents to understand what coding can do for them, which is so much more than video games or screen time. Helping parents and organizations has been a big part of our business. We are always looking for opportunities to be a contributing part of our community in so many ways.”
What Makes Code Central Different
The in-house designed curriculum was created via in-depth research and discovering what is the most effective way of how kids can learn to code, and then use those skills in other areas. Kids can learn game design, web design and robotics at their classes, camps or special events.
“Our learning management system is gamified so it encourages students to make progress to access other parts of the curriculum, almost like a video game, complete tasks and unlock other content,” said Mendelsohn, who was an education director in the Bay Area. “The material is very fun and engaging.”
When he and his family moved to Las Vegas about a decade ago, he wanted to create a learning center where kids can truly be engaged and get a healthy dose of socialization. He partnered with his brother, who had helped with a few successful start-ups, to create an educational haven for kids in Las Vegas. They looked at a lot of different types of learning options, but it was his niece who brought the idea to them via Mark Zuckerberg.
“He had come to talk to her school and said coding is the language of the future,” Mendelsohn said. “When my niece came home and told us that, a light bulb went off.” There were no franchises or blueprints for coding businesses, so they started from scratch. “We set out to create what we envisioned and recruited people who had the skills and experience to help us,” he said, which included a consultant from Code.org. The result has been a thriving business with two locations across the valley since they opened their first location in Henderson in 2016.
Benefits of Learning to Code
“Learning to code, in addition to kids developing skills in computer programming, critical thinking, problem solving and math, gives kids an opportunity to explore creativity, collaborate with other kids and develop social skills,” Mendelsohn said. Part of learning to code is the art of debugging, solving problems as to why something isn’t working or figuring out how to make a plan pan out in the virtual world. Overcoming obstacles builds confidence in more ways than one.
Rather than a classroom setting, the learning is self-paced and individualized. As kids work through the program, they are supported by experienced and knowledgeable instructors, most of which are in college majoring in computer science, or have graduated and continue to work at Code Central.
“Many students have stayed with us until they go off to college,” Mendelsohn said. “That is what really sets us apart. We are focused on the educational learning aspect of it. We are invested in the education of our students and that they are learning valuable skills and tools with their time with us.”
What Code Central Offers
Code Central offers free intro sessions for kids and parents who want to learn about this increasingly popular, and beneficial, subject. No matter what the skill level, kids can learn to code with the guidance of the trained instructors (some of whom are former students of Code Central) in-person or online with live virtual instruction. The membership plans start at $179 per month with flexible scheduling, no long-term commitment and a money-back guarantee. Get 15% off with Code VKZ through June 30!
In addition to offering weekly sessions throughout the year (including weekends) Code Central has a thriving summer camp that is filling up fast. It is tailored to your child’s interests that run weekly June 6-Aug. 5. Camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Go here for a full schedule breakdown and options.
Kids get to choose the project that they want to work on. With a variety of technologies they can work on (video game dev, web design, app design and robotics) they can choose which tech to work in and create their own project. At the end of the week, kids showcase what they created for friends and family. “In addition to coding and working on computers, we offer unplugged and physical activities. We know kids are going to be on screens and using tech, but we want them to learn to create rather than just consume.
About Code Central:
Code Central is a locally-owned business with one of the top-rated tech programs that can help your child to sharpen their STEM skills, build their own camp experience, and work on fun and creative projects! Campers choose the project(s) they would like to work on for the week, and at the end of the camp present their finished projects to friends and family. There are two locations, Summerlin, 9516 W. Flamingo Road #110 and Henderson, 10545 S. Eastern Ave #110. Call them at 702-790-3930 or email Info@mycodecentral.com.