Teaching computer programming and STEM skills for the future
Designed for kids ages 7-14, during a session in the “dojo,” students (aka “ninjas”) work their way up from starting out as white belts all the way up to the black belt level as sensei’s help them de-velop their skills.
Six months ago, a martial arts-inspired program for young computer programmers opened in Reno called Code Ninjas. Incepted by University of Nevada, Reno, alums Eric and Christine Miller, Code Ninjas is a place where kids can go to build their own video games, practice coding, and gain problem solving and critical thinking skills in a fun, safe environment. Designed for kids ages 7-14, during a session in the “dojo,” students (aka “ninjas”) work their way up from starting out as white belts all the way up to the black belt level as sensei’s help them develop their skills. The Millers got the idea to open a Code Ninjas when their own children were looking to get into coding and there wasn’t anything in Reno available to them.
“We found Code Ninjas and decided to open our own here,” Eric said.
The Code Ninjas franchise started five years ago and has since opened 200 centers nationwide including locations in Canada and the UK. Called “the literacy of the 21st century,” its founders believe that just like science, literature, and math, coding is a key facet of keeping up with our technologically advanced world.
“There’s a huge need for a generation that not only understands technology, but how it works,” its website states.
The Millers’ 13-year-old son was most interested in coding, but their 15-year-old daughter works at the Reno Code Ninjas Center as a sensei as well. “My son was interested in coding but the great thing about it is they get to learn other skills, too,” Eric adds, mentioning that STEM-based activities are a big part of the program, too. He said that although STEM programs are already integrated in many schools, kids generally take one computer class and that’s it. “Here it’s a lot more fun and they can be more creative,” Eric said. His son is a ninja, and most of the sensei’s/trainers come from the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering computer science program. Code Ninjas currently has six sensei’s and wants to add more as they get more students to keep the ratio of sensei to ninja around 5:1. However, since most senseis are college students who can only work a couple of days a week, it can be challenging to keep the Code Ninjas staffed six days a week.
Created as an after-school learning center, Code Ninjas is open Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Students enrolled in Code Ninjas can drop in any time the center is open and come in at least two hours a week after school and on weekends to work on their projects. Its core program is called “Create” and open to ages 7-14. It costs $210 per month. The Millers are in the process of launching a junior program for ages 5-7 that will be one hour a week and provide more structured times for the younger ones. Code Ninjas also has day camps that run on the kids’ breaks, where they build
Minecraft and Roadblocks games. A 5-day, 4-hour camp costs around $180-$190.
The Millers attended University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned a bachelor’s degree with a focus in sociology and political science and Eric earned a BA degree in computer information systems (and later an MBA from UNR as well). “It’s been great,” Eric said about how business is going. “ We got up to 42 ninjas with just word of mouth and we started doing more advertising and are seeing more leads coming in from that. “The biggest thing (in why they launched Code Ninja) is bringing this skill/service to Reno that we didn’t have before. I work in the Information Technology field, and I know how important coding is to the workforce. This is all about blending education while having fun. Kids do work on their own but always have the sensei there,” he said, almost describing a modern-day coworking space. Kids get up and take breaks, talk to other ninjas, and get away with screens for a few minutes by having the opportunity to play with robots, building blocks, and electronic circuit kits.
“It can be really rowdy or kind of quiet in here sometimes, it just all depends on the kids in there.” "The past few years have been hard on everyone- including and perhaps even more so- on our children. Due to the pandemic, many kids are experiencing a slump when it comes to their level of social engagement, usual interests, and their studies," Christine said. "We saw the need for a space that would allow kids to reconnect with their creativity while boosting their confidence and building community with their peers.”
When asked what their goals are with Code Ninjas or if they will ever want to expand, Eric replies,
“We have the rights to open another one within the next year; it will probably be in northwest Reno or maybe Sparks.”
Code Ninjas is located at 7111 S. Virginia Street Suite A13 next to Bistro 7. To learn more about Code Ninjas or to schedule your child for a free half-hour game building session with a sensei, visit www.codeninjas.com.
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