Los Alamos students are invited to submit an application, due by Dec. 19, 2024, to participate in the Google Creative Coding course in Taos. Courtesy/STEMarts Lab
STEMarts Lab News:
TAOS – STEMarts Lab has announced that it has been awarded a prestigious grant and designation as a Google Code Next Affiliate for the next three years.
This honor underscores STEMarts Lab’s commitment to providing equitable and innovative STEAM education by integrating art, science, and technology to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers.
As part of this partnership, STEMarts Lab is launching an exciting Creative Coding course, a free program designed for high school students, with a focus on engaging Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of programming through the lens of art, animation, and generative design, using the p5.js JavaScript library.
“This collaboration with Google Code Next allows us to bring culturally relevant and engaging computer science education to underrepresented students in Northern New Mexico,” said Agnes Chavez, Founder and Creative Director of STEMarts Lab. “Through this workshop, students will learn coding in a creative, inclusive, and inspiring environment, while opening doors to higher levels of coding education and future career opportunities in STEM and the arts.”
About the Creative Coding Workshop
The Creative Coding Workshop will take place over nine Saturday sessions, beginning Jan. 11, 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.
Session Breakdown by Date:
- January 11: Shapes & Colors
- January 18: Conditionals & Interactivity
- February 8: Variables & Operators
- February 15: Functions
- February 22: Images & Arrays
- March 15: Animation (Part 1)
- March 29: Animation (Part 2)
- April 5: Final Project Work
- May 3: Final Project Presentation
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 Mission
Google 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 Technology
STEMarts 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,” Chavez said. “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 here: 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 Lab
STEMarts 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.
