About MCC Code Club

MCC is a nonprofit working with kids, youth, parents, and families to help children grow as makers and creators of technology. We achieve this by offering synchronous online classes (online, in real-time) where young learners are taught important coding skills by qualified instructors. Students also have access to an asynchronous virtual classroom where instructors post homework and other learning activities and students can work collaboratively or independently during the week. Moreover, MCC offers young learners opportunities to build leadership and social skills through volunteering, teamwork, project-based learning, and community outreach.

MCC targets three age groups: 8-10; 11-13; 14+.

Coding is communicating with a computer in a language that the computer can understand. There are many different computer programming languages; each has different “rules” but all use the same principles of coding. Using coding, we provide computers with instructions to perform tasks such as building websites, computer software, games, and apps.

To understand the difference between computer programming languages, it might be helpful to understand the difference between human languages and computer languages. Human languages are similar to each other. All human languages are used to help people communicate with each other and facilitate everyday interactions among individuals and groups. In contrast, computer languages are different. They are comprised of different tools, and each language can be used to accomplish different tasks. For example, HTML is used in designing and developing web pages, C language for programming microprocessors such as Arduino, Java for writing large business and finance applications, and Python is used in programming complex algorithms normally used in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Children are advised to learn more than one computer language so they can do and achieve more in this new world of digitization and automation. However, it is important that they start their journey to learn coding and programming with a computer language that allows them to have a positive relationship with programming, gain confidence, and have fun. To help kids reap these learning benefits by joining our coding classes, we recommend that they start with a simple language. If they are 12 years or older with no prior knowledge in coding, we recommend that they start with Python. If they are younger than 12 with no prior knowledge in coding they are recommended to start with Scratch. All in all, learning to code is a life-long learning process where kids need to learn to solve problems on their own. Coding allows children to develop such critical skills and become ready for today’s rapidly changing world. Therefore, it is important to start the life-transforming journey for your child at an early age.

Coding and robotics are interrelated. They are similar and different at the same time. Coding is writing a set of instructions to create applications to run on devices such as computers, websites, mobiles, and robots. Robotics is the science of designing and programming robots, by combining hardware (mechanics and electronics) and software (coding). For example, this combination of software and hardware allows robots to collect information (input) and generate different forms of output such as movement, light, sound, heat and other physical effects. At My Code Club, young learners are introduced to both worlds. To understand the computing logic of both worlds, it is recommended to start your child’s learning journey with a coding course.

Coding is considered a basic literacy in today’s digital age. Building coding skills allows children to meaningfully understand and work with the technology that is driving the world around them. Moreover, coding skills aid young learners’ development in school regardless of the field of education and eventually the workforce. Learning coding teaches children key skills applicable to any field of study:

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Resilience
• Math

Professionally speaking, there is a lack of qualified coders in this growing industry. Coding presents a large opportunity for a career choice, but even if a child chooses not to pursue Computer Science the skills they have developed will provide them with an advantage in any workforce. More and more careers engage with computer programs, and some basic knowledge of coding can be an invaluable skill.

It is great to see that an increasing number of schools are incorporating computer science into their curriculum. Nevertheless, schools remain unable to offer proper computer science education due to accelerated technological advances in today’s digital world. The bureaucracy limits public school abilities to adapt to accelerated advances in digital technologies. Even if your child is learning coding in school, they can always benefit from additional instruction, projects, and new languages taught in a different environment.

MCC curriculum is based on open-source curricular resources to make coding accessible for young learners at a reasonable cost. By using open-sourced curriculum, MCC aims to help young learners grow as life-long learners, makers, and participants in the expansive open-source learning platforms.

You can support us by advocating and sharing our vision with other parents and families. You can also donate to sponsor a child (or specifically, a girl) to start their journey to learn to code.

MCC instructors are qualified professionals and advanced university students in computer science, design, and other tech fields. They all have experience in working with children and love working with young learners.

You can contact us by email: info@mcode.club or by phone: 416-992-3281.

Yes, access to MCC online learning spaces is controlled by passwords. All instructors have clearance from local police authorities to work with young learners.

No, your child’s age and experience decides the starting point of the journey to learn coding. Please review Parent’s Decision Tree to help you make sense of the starting point for your child. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in case you need help.

MCC courses usually run for 12 weeks. However, MCC offers shorter courses during March and Summer school breaks. We also offer special tutoring classes upon request.

Yes, we offer a free trial class to help students experience what they will be learning in our courses.

Our trial class is free. Other courses, which typically run once a week for 12 weeks, cost around $250. Please reference each class for an exact cost as some courses vary based on length.

Yes, MCC students participate in various contests. Every year MCC students participate in the Canadian Computing Competition organized by the University of Waterloo. At the international level, MCC students participate in the Astro Pi Challenge. We also have plans to encourage MCC students to participate in the Technovation Challenge for Girls, and Imagine Cup by Microsoft.