This fun and productive activity applies to all age groups! Younger kids can learn to use a Makey Makey (which I will give you) with computer programs that they can modify to create their own projects, like banana piano keyboards, custom video game controls made out of play-dough or potatoes...

There are tons of fun interactive project ideas for this age group, with less emphasis on programming from scratch and more emphasis on modifying existing programs.

Older kids and teenagers can learn the basics of SNAP, a lego-like programming language created at Berkeley. SNAP is currently used in New York's high school classrooms in beginning computer programming courses. They can use it to create animations and games, and there is even hardware available so they can build and program their own robots! Adults or teens can learn Python, Javascript, or Microsoft VBA.

Clair Seager has lots of experience streamlining data processing and automating repetitive tasks. Have a slow Excel spreadsheet that you'd like to improve? A powerpoint presentation that you often update by hand?

A macro that you wish was more flexible? These are things Clair can help empower people to fix. Or, if you're looking to get into hobby programming, she can give you a jump start. This includes creating very basic websites, exploring fun math concepts like fractals with data visualization software, or helping you build a basic arduino project.

For all ages, "I'm always available for help and troubleshooting after the lessons!"

Clair is a professional software engineer with a background in physics. She also is a volunteer teacher through Microsoft's TEALS program at Uncommon Collegiate High School in Brooklyn, where she teaches introductory computer programming to 9th and 10th graders throughout the school year.