Creative Coding Workshop Free for High School Students, spaces limited

The Creative Coding Workshop will take place over nine Saturday sessions, beginning January 11, 2025, through May 3, 2025, at the UNM Taos Klauer Campus/UNM Taos HIVE.The program is free for 10–12 high school students and will be led by industry experts, including:

• Ian Harrison, 3D artist, animator, and programmer, serving as the workshop’s Lead Instructor.
• Agnes Chavez, interdisciplinary artist and educator, as STEAM integration designer.
• Alison Johnson, award-winning experimental filmmaker, as Guest Instructor and XR Design Speaker.

The curriculum will guide students through foundational programming concepts, such as variables, loops, and functions, while encouraging them to apply these skills to create interactive artwork, animations, and generative designs. Upon completion, students will receive Google Code Next T-shirts, and Google certificates, and gain eligibility for ongoing STEMarts Lab internships and participation in the STEMarts Creative Team contributing to its mixed-reality sci-art art installations.

This is the first year of the Creative Coding Workshop, with plans to introduce advanced-level workshops in the coming years for students interested in furthering their skills.

Google Code Next’s MissionGoogle Code Next is committed to closing the learning gap in computer science (CS) education by providing free, culturally relevant and engaging computer science programming for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous high school students. The program’s goal is to cultivate the next generation of tech leaders, equip them with the skills for rewarding careers in technology, and empower them for the future of learning and work.
Code Next achieves this mission by:

• Partnering with community-based organizations like STEMarts Lab.
• Meeting students where they are, in their communities.
• Providing the tools and technology necessary for success in CS education and STEM careers.

Through this partnership, STEMarts Lab joins a network of innovative affiliate programs designed to break down barriers in CS education and inspire underrepresented students to become leaders in tech.

Empowering Students Through Art and TechnologySTEMarts Lab has a long history of integrating art, science, and technology into transformative educational experiences. This partnership with Google Code Next marks an exciting new chapter in STEMarts Lab’s mission to empower the next generation with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
"The Creative Coding Workshop is more than just teaching students to code," said Chavez. "It’s about empowering them to explore the intersection of art, society, and technology, unlock their creative potential, and envision themselves as future innovators and changemakers in the 21st-century workforce."
"Students who excel in the program will have opportunities to advance their skills and join the STEMarts Creative Team in a paid role, where they can contribute to cutting-edge mixed reality art installations and inspire other students to explore creative coding."

How to Apply
​Registration for the Creative Coding Workshop is now open. High school students interested in participating can register online at https://tinyurl.com/googlecreativecoding. For questions please contact STEMarts Lab at stemartslab@gmail.com.. Applications are due by December 19, 2024 to be eligible. First come First Serve.

About STEMarts LabSTEMarts Lab is a STEAM youth leadership program that prepares young people to change the world for the better through professional opportunities, cutting-edge projects, and immersive art experiences. Operating as a production studio, STEMarts Lab engages participants in creating collaborative sci-art installations that address real-world challenges while equipping future youth leaders with essential workforce skills. Through partnerships with global STEAM mentors, access to advanced technologies, and participation in immersive projects, the organization fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. STEMarts Lab empowers youth to envision and actively contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future as informed planetary citizens and change-makers​​.
For more information about the Creative Coding Workshop or STEMarts Lab, visit www.stemarts.com