Google, Thunder launch Thunder Coding powered by Google for Oklahoma students

Google and the Thunder Cares Foundation recently launched Thunder Coding powered by Google, a program which offers hands-on learning for Oklahoma students ages 7-14 with skill development in coding, design and collaboration. Thunder Coding is powered by a $100,000 grant from Google, Inc. Charitable Giving Fund of the Tides Foundation.

At the downtown Oklahoma City Google Innovation Lab at the Thunder Launchpad on Thursday, campers engaged in Thunder-designed assignments from beginner to advanced level. Six more coding camps are planned for the 2021-2022 NBA season in partnership with nonprofit youth organizations, and Google’s sponsorship will cover registration fees to ensure coding instruction is barrier-free for students.

During the summer of 2022, Thunder Coding will host four teacher bootcamps to instruct, collaborate with and inspire coding instructors from across the region. Instructors will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on coding bootcamp that will introduce new curriculum tactics and feature inspirational keynote speakers.

“Thunder Coding is an opportunity for ingenuity and innovation to naturally cross with sports entertainment,” Christine Berney, vice president of Community Engagement for the Oklahoma City Thunder said. “Our partnership with Google allows us to expand our youth engagement beyond the court and foster an interest in coding in a fun and interactive way.”

Camp instruction is facilitated by iCode, a local educational partner that excels at coding curriculum in fun-centric environments. On Thursday, 50 students from the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and Bethany YMCA completed Block One, a four-hour, beginner level coding session. The session focused on the basics of coding by creating a Rumble video game through Construct 3.

Google has awarded more than $2 million in grants for STEM programs across Oklahoma since opening its Oklahoma data center in 2011.

“We are thrilled to partner with Thunder Cares to deliver coding camps to students who may not otherwise have access to this level of training, “Andrew Silvestri, Google’s head of data center policy and community development, said. “Coding helps kids exercise their natural curiosity and capacity for exploration. When you combine the benefits of STEM learning with the Oklahoma City Thunder experience, kids will leave with a memorable experience and useful skills that will serve them well into the future.”