Parents

Here are the Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ, about Girls Coding Academy:

FAQ FOR PARENTS

PARENT FAQ

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ARE YOU HOSTING THE ACADEMY FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE?

We are hosting our academy in-person this year. Through our academy they will continue to learn in summer, bond and be exposed to Computer Science topics in a fun and safe environment together with their peers and a great team consisting of UH faculty members, coaches and graduate/undergraduate students as mentors.

 

  • Location: University of Houston at Sugar Land, 14000 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
  • Building: George Building
  • Dates:  June 12–16, 2023
  • Registration Due Date:  June 8, 2023
  • Participants:
    • Middle School: Students entering 6th–8th grade
    • High School: Students entering 9th–12th grade
  • Time:
    • Middle School: 8:30 am–12:30 pm
    • High School: 1:00 pm–5:00 pm
  • Format: Face-to-Face
  • Fee: $350


WHAT IS “GIRLS & BOYS CODING ACADEMY”?

The Girls & Boys Coding Academy is created by CodeCougars team consisting of UH Faculty from College of Education, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, and UH STEM Center. The main purpose of this innovative program is to promote and teach computer science (CS) topics especially coding to girls and boys in middle and high schools.

The Girls and Boys Coding Academy teaches the following subjects:

The Middle School Academy (Grades 6-8)
-Game Design and Development (Scratch & Roblox Studio)
-Introduction to Python Programming Language
-Web Development/HTML/CSS/Java Script

The High School Academy (Grades 9-12)
-Python Programming Language
-Game Design and Development (Construct 3)


WHO IS ORGANIZING THIS ACADEMY?
The Academy is hosted by UH STEM Center and Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the College of Education at University of Houston.

WHO IS THE SUMMER ACADEMY FOR AND WHAT ARE THE GRADE LEVELS?
We believe in young kids’ ability. They can learn knowledge and skills associated with Coding once they are properly guided and supported. We enroll students rising to 6-8 grade in the fall semester for the Middle School Academy. We enroll students rising to 9-12 grade in the fall semester for the High School Academy.

IS THERE A RESEARCH ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT?
Yes, we look at students’ attitudes toward careers in Computer Science. Girls and Boys Coding Academy is applying to grant programs to support young kids. We also contribute to research in this area.

WHAT ARE THE DATES?
The Girls and Boys Coding Academy —will run from June 12 – 16, 2023 in-person at the UH Sugar Land facilities. The Academy will be Monday through Friday.

  • Middle School Schedule: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
  • High School Schedule: 1 pm to 5 pm


WHAT ARE THE CLASSES AND TOPICS COVERED IN GIRLS AND BOYS CODING ACADEMY?
We focus on following Computer Science topics in this year’s academy:

The Middle School Academy (Grades 6-8)
-Game Design and Development (Scratch & Roblox Studio)
-Introduction to Python Programming Language
-Web Development/HTML/CSS

The High School Academy (Grades 9-12)
-Python Programming Language
-Game Design and Development (Construct 3)

The camp includes instruction on Computer Science topics. Our philosophy is based on project-based learning and hands-on projects. Students complete daily tasks and work on interconnected projects.

WHAT IS SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION?
Your child will be assigned to a small group of 5 -7 students supervised and taught by one to two Mentors. Mentors will instruct and help each student individually with their daily tasks and projects during each class period.

WHO ARE MENTORS?
We have undergraduate or graduate students serving as “Instructional Assistants and Mentors”  at the camp. These students major in education, computers, science, technology, and other STEM fields at the University of Houston. Mentors are responsible for the instruction and supervision of the students. Mentors will also be in direct touch with the parents of the students. A high school volunteer may be assigned to your students’ group as a helper/aid to assist Mentors, depending on the availability.

WHAT IS YOUR STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO?
We are proud to have a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio in our small groups allowing us to teach students 1-on-1 during the majority of activities.

HOW MUCH IS THE CAMP FEE?
The Camp fee is $350 per child. There are discounts for siblings, teachers, and UH Employees. The camp fee includes all classes and other camp activities. 

WHAT ARE DISCOUNTS?
Siblings can receive $50 off for each sibling. Teachers can receive $50 off for each child. UH Employees are eligible for $75 for each child. Discounts may be combined. You need to send proof of documentation (ID or pay-stub with registration form) for Teacher and UH Employee discounts. You can find out how much you will need to pay when you complete your registration form at http://www.codecougar.org/register

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP, AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

——–Please note that we are UNABLE to provide scholarships for the ITECH-STEM program in Summer 2023—–

HOW CAN I PAY?
We accept payment using major credit/debit cards. There is no fee for paying with a credit/debit card. We are unable to accept checks or cash. 
 
Once you fill out the Registration Form, it will redirect you to a separate payment website. Your seat/space in the camp won’t be reserved until you make the final payment by the payment deadline on June 8, 2023.
 
We recommend sending your payment as soon as possible.


CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE ONLY A FEW DAYS?
While we strongly encourage students to attend full week of activities, in some cases, we could allow only a few days of academy participation. The normal academy activities are scaffolded and build upon each other from day 1 to day 5. If you need to start the academy a day late or leave early, please talk to academy director after you register.

HOW ARE CLASSES/SUBJECTS ARRANGED?
We implement our unique curriculum which builds upon interconnected projects throughout the academy. That’s why we offer all four classes as a package and can’t allow children to choose between the classes. Students will be taking these classes similar to a mini school schedule where they take some classes on certain days and times. Classes will alternate each day to keep students engaged. A full schedule will be available during the orientation day for parents and students.

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR MY CHILD?

Face-to-face students may bring a small backpack with a notebook and a pocket folder/binder (not more than 1 inch). 


DO YOU PROVIDE ANY MATERIALS FOR CAMPERS?
Prior to the camp, we plan to provide a camp t-shirt to each participant.

 
DO YOU PROVIDE LUNCH FOR STUDENTS?
No. Students are not allowed to bring their lunch either. 
 
DO YOU PROVIDE SNACKS?
Yes, we will be able to provide snacks including juice and water during our breaks. We will serve pre-packaged snacks. We will try our best to provide kosher and halal snacks with healthy options such as fruits during the camp day. If you have dietary restrictions for your child, you can let your child’s mentor know of those restrictions.

ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES BESIDES CLASSES?
Yes, students will take recess between classes (10 min- 15 min) during the day. In our face-to-face camps, we may go outside for fun activities such as playing summer games and doing fun STEM activities such as “watermelon explosion” or “flying drones.”

DO YOU HAVE REWARDS?
We may have some small rewards available for face-to-face students. However, we will provide certificates to all students who complete their individual tasks and projects at the award ceremony.

We may also offer the University of Houston’s “Digital Badges” to our participants through “Creedly”

WHAT IS AWARD CEREMONY?
We will gather on the last day of the camp to recognize the success and achievements of our students. Students will get certificates and awards and also showcase their completed work. 

WHAT CAN STUDENTS TAKE HOME THIS YEAR?
Students will be able to take their technology projects.

WHAT ARE OTHER POLICIES?
Parents and Students will need to sign  “Consent to participate in the camp,” “Student Code of Conduct & Acceptable Technology Use Policy,” “Work Permission,” “Liability Form,” and “Media Release” when they register.

Face-to-face parents will also need to read and agree with the “Drop off/Dismissal/Late Pick Up Policy“.

All policies are available through the registration form. You may read them when you fill out the form.


HOW DO YOU PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN ONLINE?
We protect the privacy and rights of children online. We follow The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) in our program. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) imposes specific requirements upon websites and online services that are directed toward children (https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule). We provide a safe environment for the highest protection available with respect to participant’s personal information. We do not collect any individually identifiable information from students whom we know are under the age of 13. To register your child to participate in our activities, we collect certain personal identifiable information and request parental consent.

IS THERE AN ORIENTATION SESSION FOR PARENTS?
Yes, we will hold an orientation session for parents on the second week of June prior to the camp start. Dates will be announced later. Parents will be notified of the details of the orientation session after they register.

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Girls Coding Academy is sponsored by Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute at University of Houston and hosted by UH STEM Center and Department of Curriculum & Instruction at College of Education at University of Houston.

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