IRSA K-12 Data Science Education Series: Scratch Programming Camp

Event Overview

Join the Institute for Research in Statistics and its Applications (IRSA) and the School of Statistics at the University of Minnesota for an exciting, hands-on coding workshop designed specifically for Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12).

Whether you have never written a line of code or are curious about how computer games work, this half-day workshop will introduce you to fundamental programming concepts using Scratch, a visual programming language developed to make coding intuitive and fun.

Build core problem-solving and algorithmic thinking skills that serve as the building blocks for modern Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence.

Event Details & Schedule

9:00 - 9:30: Welcome and Introductions
9:45 - 10:30: Scratch Basics - Loops and Movement - Apple Catching Game 
10:30 - 11:15: Simple Self-Playing Variation of Apple Catching Game
11:15 - 11:30: Snack Break
11:30 - 12:15: More Variables - Flappy Bird
12:15 - 1:00: Lunch / Open Coding (Modify one of the games made earlier or make an entirely new game)

Why Attend?

• No Experience Required: Designed for absolute beginners as well as students looking to brush up on coding logic.
• Mentorship: Learn from high school coders in a game development club, who started out just like you, with UMN faculty supervising
• Interactive Project: Leave with a fully functional game you created yourself that you can continue building at home.
• Explore Future Pathways: Learn how computing intersects with statistics, data science careers, and AI.
• Target Age Range: 4th grade - 6th grade | 9-12 years old 

Building Access & Campus Safety

• Weekend Access Note: Keller Hall has controlled access on weekends. Event staff will greet students outside the main entrance of Keller Hall starting at 9:15 AM.
• Safety of Minors: This event strictly adheres to the University of Minnesota Administrative Policy on the Safety of Minors. All minor participants must submit a completed Form OGC-SC250 (Release and Waiver) signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to entering the workshop room.

Registration is Currently Full 
 

For questions, accessibility requests, or group registrations, please contact Tianxi Li, Director IRSA, [email protected]