With fast-paced advancements in technology it’s hard to keep up-to-date with the new norms, but Kent School is now offering courses, including Programming 1, to get students integrated into programming as the field is expanding.

Programming 1 teaches the concepts of complex problem-solving in a fun and interactive way. Kevin Saxton, Math Department Head and current teacher, says that the course is “aimed as a first introduction into computer science.” The class uses a free program made available by Carnegie Mellon that teaches the concepts they’ll need before being taught code. Learning to code without the programming introduction, said Saxton, “is just like learning a brand new subject but in a foreign language.”

Computer Science is the backbone to the world’s technological achievements. Without programming everything we have become accustomed to in our day-to-day life would be unattainable. Saxton points out, “from the sciences and engineering, all the way to the humanities, they rely on programmers, so all who understand programming will have an advantage.”

Not only is programming a growing job market, but it also helps people in formulating approaches to solving obstacles. There are concepts that are used in programming but are also something that can be used in life when approaching problems everyday. The class teaches the students to naturally see the solution in multiple ways, but then identify the simplest.

Saxton made it clear that today computer science is “no longer just for a stereotypical nerdy, caffeine-driven programmer/hacker type of person, but for someone who’s creative and artistic.” The revolution of programming is booming, and the best way to stay in the loop is to take Programming 1 next fall.