Is it possible to learn programming languages for 12yo kids??

1. Is it possible to learn programming languages for 12yo kids?? That's the question!

2. This an example of code const int pin_redled=1; int X=0;//declares the variable int Y=0;//declares the variable void setup(){ pinMode(pin_redled,OUTPUT); } void loop() { if(X>100){ digitalWrite(pin_redled,HIGH); } if(X<100){ digitalWrite(pin_redled,LOW); } };//end loop Difficulties: • conventional words, abbreviations, acronyms... understandble words, a different language • rigid syntax... if you forgot comma, semicolon, brace, parenthesis... it'll never work • long time needed • english words

3. This is the same code in a grafic friendly composed const int pin_redled=1; int X=0;//declares the variable int Y=0;//declares the variable void setup(){ pinMode(pin_redled,OUTPUT); } void loop() { if(X>100){ digitalWrite(pin_redled,HIGH); } if(X<100){ digitalWrite(pin_redled,LOW); } };//end loop very different!

4. What means? In this case: if the valor of X is greater than 100 turn on red light. If something happens do something else... this is the conditional expression of programming, the fundamental. This is a graphic way to write a code An example of a web application that help to compile a program

5. 11-12-13 years old This is a delicate age in which the logic must grow and develop. A boy can do it, he just needs some facilities. Colors, images and, above all, a language closed to the common everyday language

6. And a second question... What to do then? Which programs compile for? Try to do logic games can be a good idea, using for example Processing. Or compile pages in Html + Javascript. Or make something in the Actionscript of Flash, for interactive animations. But there is another question...

7. Into the virtual world This image (author Angel Boligán http://boligan.com/) is very telling and meaningful in my opinion. A problem of our boys can be a detachment from reality. So what to do? Add another virtual game?

8. Arduino We discovered and decided for Arduino. It can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmabile. It's also very cheap: 24 €

9. We discovered Arduino, it looks a way to connect virtuality and reality, because it can mix electronic with handcraft, programming with handcraft. A big opportunity for the school. It isn't the only one, there also are other similar boards, as Theremino or Lego Mindstorm for example. But about and around Arduino, many projects are shared on the web, many software, examples, blogs, forums. All it's free and it's shared.

10. We are making a little robot. We are using wood, paper, motors, lights and creativity. The boys are learning the programing

11. From first exercises like this: Traffic lights ….to the compilation of complex code to manage sensors and motors