Learning computer coding is paying off big for students at Flat Rock Middle.

The school is one of 51 winners across the nation (and the only one in Georgia) receiving a $10,000 award for teaching each student in the school an hour of computer coding by participating in the “Hour of Code” during National Computer Science Week Dec. 7-13.

Code.org, an organization founded to advance computer science education, hosts the Hour of Code. The nonprofit grants $10,000 in classroom technology to one school in each participating state. To qualify for the grant, the entire school has to register to participate in the Hour of Code, and complete an application.

Sixth-grade math teacher Dr. Tarchell Caruthers spearheaded writing the grant application that won the school the award, which will be used to further Flat Rock’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) initiatives.

A school-wide kickoff celebration was held Dec. 7 with demonstrations of how computer coding is used, from programming robots to perform specific tasks to turning a tablet into hand bells for a holiday concert. Sixth-grader (and computer coder) Henry Schneider served as the master of ceremonies, and ended the assembly with an enthusiastic “Let’s go code” shout out to his fellow schoolmates.   

Local dignitaries and school system officials attended the Hour of Code kickoff and check presentation. They included Georgia State Senator Valencia Seay, Tyrone Mayor Eric Dial, Fayette County Commission Board Chair Charles Oddo, and Fayette County Commissioners David Barlow and Charles Rousseau, Fayette County Board of Education member Leonard Presberg, NCR representative Yvonne Whitaker, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Barrow, Deputy Superintendent Sam Sweat, CTAE Director Lisa Collins, Title I Coordinator Clarice Howard, and Coordinator of Instructional Technology Kate Matthews.