Tynker – in Collaboration with NASA – Launches New Space-Themed Coding Challenges for 2019’s Hour of Code

Tynker, the leader in enabling kids to use code to become Makers, today announced the availability of 7 new space-themed coding challenges created in collaboration with NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. The activities are being made available for free to kids of all ages as part of Tynker’s support for this week’s Hour of Code, taking place from December 9-15, 2019.

“Space exploration is both extremely exciting and challenging, with no shortage of complex problems that need to be solved for humanity to successfully travel and live beyond Earth,” said Krishna Vedati, CEO of Tynker. “It’s been over 50 years since Margaret Hamilton and other pioneering ‘spaceship programmers’ wrote the code that would ultimately land the first astronauts on the moon. Today, we are excited to introduce an entirely new generation of Makers to the future of space travel through a series of coding challenges timed to this week’s Hour of Code.”

NASA is committed to landing American astronauts, including the first woman and the next man, on the Moon by 2024. Through the agency’s Artemis lunar exploration program, NASA will use innovative new technologies and systems to explore more of the Moon than ever before and to then take the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars. Tynker’s new coding challenges provide the next generation of Makers with opportunities to team up with NASA and Tynker to learn about and participate in some of the technical challenges of space exploration. The coding challenges have been designed with step-by-step instructions and sample code to allow students of any experience level to participate.

Tynker’s 7 new space-themed coding challenges for the 2019 Hour of Code include:

• Design a Mission Patch – use Tynker to code mission patches for your imaginary spacesuit;
• Tell your Lunar Habitat Story – write a story as an Artemis astronaut living and working on the - Lunar Gateway in the year 2024;
• Lunar Test Drive – use code to navigate a moon rover to its destination while avoiding craters and rocks;
• Search and Scan – program a moon rover to explore dangerous caverns, collect ice samples if found, and then deposit the samples to a lab for analysis;
• Rover Relay – program a fleet of rovers to work together to complete a task; and
• Build a Lunar Habitat – use Tynker’s Level Editor and get creative with this open-ended project as you plan your own lunar habitat with living quarters, labs and hydroponic grow rooms.

Tynker offers one of the most diverse collections of activities for the Hour of Code, engaging learners of all coding levels and interests. Other activities include:

• 12 Engaging story-based puzzles such as Candy Quest, Dragon Blast, Barbie™ Pet Vet and Hot Wheels Obstacle Course;
• Do-It-Yourself coding projects with step-by-step instructions such as Spin Draw, Physics Cannon, Undersea Arcade, Peep Nature Walk and Superhero Masks;
• 6 new STEM projects that tie in with UN Sustainable Development Goals;
• Multiplayer challenges such as Crystal Clash, Code Monsters and Code Commander;
• Minecraft modding to create resource and behavior packs in code;
• JavaScript and Python challenges for advanced students such as Counter Hack, Toxic Jungle and Life on Land;
• STEM projects where coding is applied to all subject areas including Math, Science, Social Studies and English; and
• Over 40 other fun and exciting coding challenges for anyone to try!

Tynker makes it very easy for educators to run an Hour of Code event with time-saving tools including standards-aligned lesson plans, answer keys, easy wizards for managing students, printing achievement certificates, and tracking student progress in real time. To get started, please visit http://www.Tynker.com/hour-of-code.

About Tynker

Tynker empowers kids of all ages to become Makers by enabling them to develop coding skills to design, develop, and power animations, games, toys, smart devices and more. The company’s award-winning platform helps to engage students at home, at school, and on the go, so they develop the critical thinking, reasoning and programming skills that turn them into the Makers of today and tomorrow. Tynker’s highly successful STEM teaching platform has been used by one in three U.S. K-8 schools, 90,000 schools globally and over 60 million kids across 150 countries. Tynker’s partners include some of the world’s most respected brands including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mattel, PBS, Lego, Code.org and more. Tynker is accessible from any computer with an Internet browser, as well as via the Tynker and Tynker Junior mobile apps, and offers both a free and paid subscription option. For more information, visit http://www.tynker.com.