Apple will take part in Code.org’s Hour of Code effort next week by hosting free workshops at its retail stores around the globe to get kids interested in programming.
Apple will be using tools created by Seattle-based Code.org, including the just-launched coding tutorial designed for use during the Hour of Code featuring Anna and Elsa from Disney’s animated blockbuster “Frozen.” Called “Artist with Anna and Elsa,” the tutorial was created through a partnership between Code.org and Disney. That may have been a key part of getting Apple on board with the Hour of Code: Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger sits on Apple’s board.
The Apple Stores in the Seattle area, including the company’s flagship University Village store, will be hosting workshops during the late afternoon and early evening on December 11. The events are a part of Code.org’s campaign to get kids interested in computer science by sitting them down in front of a tutorial for an hour during Computer Science Education Week next week.
In addition to the workshops, Apple will host a handful of events featuring developers for the company’s platform, sharing their experiences getting started with coding and where their careers have gone from there. Unfortunately, there are only two of those events in the U.S. – one in Chicago and the other in New York.
Apple is devoting a lot of horsepower to the effort, with a message about the workshops on the company’s home page.
Apple isn’t the only company using its retail stores to promote the Hour of Code, either: Microsoft is offering YouthSpark training programs at its retail stores nationwide as well.
