Programming Classes

News Jan 26, 2023

Panda Programmer is happy share some good news about the FTC robots competition team that is sponsored by Panda:  Last weekend, on Jan 21st, Team #21814 (team ROR) had a great showing at the Qualifiers competition in Laurel, and advanced to the Regionals competition on Feb 11th

Out of 28 teams, the team took first place for the “Innovate” award, 2nd place for the “Design” award, and 2nd place for the “Inspire” award.  Good job team members!  Both captains of the team are graduates of Panda Programmers Coding classes for kids.  Good luck team ROR at the Regionals!

The Winners!
Team ROR advances to compete in the Regionals competition on Feb 11th.
The competition field.
Each team consists of 2 robots and played against another team of 2 robots.
Last minute fixes to the robot
The team made some last minute fixes to the robot.
Judging session
The team described the design process for the robot
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1 Hour Classes

1 Hour Classes

1 hour classes may be the answer! Are your children all “Zoomed” out from remote schooling?  Is the typical 2 hour Panda Programmer class just too much time for your child during the pandemic?

No problem! As of December, 2020 Panda Programmer is offering 1 hour classes to our students.  Simply choose the “1 hour” format when you sign up for the class, and your child will be registered for this newer, shorter format.  It’s a better way to do coding classes for kids.

We still teach the same material in the same fun environment-  it’s just shorter!

And if you prefer our traditional 2 hour format, that is still offered as well.  Call or email us with any questions on the length of our classes.  

Update for summer 2021:  We will continue to offer a choice for the length of our online classes.  Students may opt for the shorter class (60 minutes) or the longer traditional class (120 minuts).  And of course there’s our kids programming summer camp!  Our in-person summer camp is offered in half-day sessions, which are 3 hours long.  Or students can come for the entire day.  Full-day camp is 7 hours long.  Often kids have more fun in the in-person environment.  They can chat with their friends.  They can meet new friends.  And they have plenty of peers to show off their work to!  That goes the other direction as well, as students can learn from the peers too.

Regarding the fall for 2021:  Panda Programmer is hoping to once again offer in-school after-school classes.  Our traditional classes are taught in MCPS elementary schools.  1 hour classes are not part of this curriculum.  The in-school after-school classes are typically 2 hours long.  

Hoping to see you and your children in the fall!

1 hour classes

Learning Scratch

Panda Programmer:  Do you just teach Scratch for programming?  What if my child learns Scratch, is there anything else she can study?   Bob (Parent at Diamond ES)  
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My son plays too many video games!

Hello Panda Programmer, It seems like my son just wants to sit on the couch and play video games all the time! Does a child need to want to program in order to succeed in your classes? Linda B Gaithersburg
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What ages are your programming classes?

What ages can take programming classes at Panda Programmer? I have an 8 year old boy, and a 10 year old girl. They are very interested in computers.   Wendy Gaithersburg
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Scratch Programming in the Rockville area

Hello, I am looking for a programming class for my 12 year old son. Is there anywhere that offers Scratch Programming in the Rockville area? Sarah in Rockville
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After-School computer classes?

Hello Panda Programmer (after-school),

Do you offer computer classes as an after-school activity? For instance, in the schools after school?  I am particularly interested in having my child learn Scratch.  Also, my 11 year-old son is interested in robotics.  Do you offer any classes in robotics?

A few years ago my son attended your summer camp at an elementary school in Gaithersburg.  This was not an after-school program.  He loved it!  He was able to learn with his friends.  They played outside on the playground.  They even learned Spanish.  Every day he came home telling us stories about the fun things they did in summer camp.  

I believe that he studied Scratch computer programming.  He made games and educational projects.  He showed his friends all of the progress that he made.  I am hoping that my daughter can participate in an after-school program by you and learn the same things.  

Linda

after-school classes
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Summer Camp at Rachel Carson

Hi Panda Programmer I heard that you will be offering summer camps at Rachel Carson ES in the Kentlands (Gaithersbug) this summer. My child is currently enrolled in your after school class. Will they be continuing from where they left off, or will they be learning the material from the beginning? Thank you Jason from North Potomac
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