The middle school years are critical to building a strong foundation in and love for computer science. At the middle school, students at every level have the opportunity to elect into computer science courses. During 6th grade, students can take CS Foundations, which introduces them to many ways we see code in our life such as, games and animation, physical computing and through apps. In subsequent 7th and 8th grade courses, students can choose which of those areas they'd like to learn more about. 

 

Our long-term goals of the Elementary Coding program span early childhood to high school. In the curriculum, we will...

• Introduce computer programming through fun, skill-building applications in elementary school English, math, science and art classes to ensure students solidify a foundation of computer programming knowledge and skills.
• Explore the diverse range of careers that require computer programming skills.
• Provide opportunities for co-curricular coding, programming activities and clubs, both during and after school.
• Engage students in programming-based experiences and competitions, including CoderDojo, Droodle, Code Savvy and Girls in Tech.
• Support extra-curricular opportunities as well as state-level and national competitions in the area of programming.
• Design more rigorous middle school and high school electives with college-level curriculum, including AP Computer Science and VANTAGE courses to prepare students for top higher education programs.
• Build a strong portfolio of community and industry partnerships to support higher levels of instruction and better access to industry resources, expertise and opportunities for students.

THINK | INNOVATE | CREATE
Making promotes learning by doing.

The world is changing at a fantastic speed. The future requires people who can problem-solve, adapt, and communicate in workplaces and environments that are increasingly complex. The Maker Space -Hub invites Minnetonka students to build the world they can imagine.

Since spring 2017, the Minnetonka Foundation has supported maker-based learning by providing materials, training and events to support hands-on learning experiences around technology, computer science, design, making and engineering in PreK-8 Minnetonka schools. Foundation involvement provides open-ended student-driven learning experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration and teamwork to achieve a goal.

Learn more about Tonka Coders & Makers:

• Minnetonka Algebra Students Design and 3D Print Bubble Wands for Patients
• Minnetonka Hosts Harvard Weekend Code Academy
• 20 Examples of Makerspace Projects in Minnetonka Classrooms
• 40+ Ideas for Coding Across the Curriculum in Middle School: Math, Band, Language Arts, Science, Spanish & More
• Photo Recap: 7,300+ Hours of December Coding in Minnetonka Schools
• Minnetonka’s Coding Program for Every K-5 Student Now Assessed on Report Cards
• Why Teach Coding? Same Reasons to Teach Writing Even When Not All Students Will Be Writers
• Using Technology to Think Critically About History & Engage Students' Creativity
• Behind the Code: Using Spheros in Middle School for Deeper Learning
• Paperless Hall Passes in School: There's a (Student Made) App For That
• Dancing Robots Programmed in Grade 6 STEM Class
• Video Game Design and Computer Coding at High School
• Minnetonka Linear Algebra 8th Graders Use Bootstrap to Code
• Earth Day at Minnetonka Schools Family Makerspace Event
• The Hub: Minnetonka Makerspaces Launch

November 3, 2021

National Sandwich Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/589281646/ 
Created by: Zeke, Dane, & Joseph

People celebrate the variety of sandwiches across the world. People love to eat something that can be very healthy or can be unhealthy. People also help the homeless with them, like a guy passes out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the homeless. It also helps people show their cultures. You can put anything in a sandwich!

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November 4, 2021

National Candy Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/590637462
Created by: Aidan, Bennett & Griffin

We chose National Candy Day because our group loves candy and candy makes people happy and fills them with joy. We love candy and we hope you do too. Enjoy this Tonka Doodle!

Diwali
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/595615132
Created by: Samhita, Ken & Elle

We picked Diwali because the celebration reflects Tonka. Diwali is the Festival of Lights. During Diwali people light up lamps called Diyas to bring positive vibes. Kids burst firecrackers for fun and joy. During Diwali everyone eats a lot of yummy sweets and snacks. Spending time with family is also a main part of the celebration. Diwali is celebrated all over the world and has five days of the festival. Diwali reflects Tonka because they are both full of positivity, happiness, diversity and fun.

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November 11, 2021

Veterans Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/590640684/ 
Created by: Mason, Sam R. & John T.

Our group chose Veteran’s Day because one of the members of our group’s grandpa is a veteran. We chose Veterans Day because we wanted to make a project dedicated to the people that sacrificed their lives for this country. Additionally, Veteran’s Day is relatively well known, unlike sandwich day. These are some of the many reasons why we chose Veterans Day.

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November 13, 2021

World Kindness Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/590937205/ 
Created by: Marcel, Beckham, & Owen

Our day is November 13 in which we celebrate World Kindness day. We celebrate this day because it is important to be kind to people and spend time with family. So we decided to make our project based off of this day of kindness. So we made our T the angel, our O the heart, N to represent the Minnetonka lakes, then then to represent forgiveness and finally the A for peace on earth.

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November 25, 2021

Thanksgiving Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/590639497 
Created by: Aneeqa, Francesca, & Paul

We chose Thanksgiving because we want to be thankful to the pilgrims and Native Americans who created this day. Thanksgiving is also a time when families come together and celebrate. We used some traditional Thanksgiving symbols to create our Tonka Doodle.

December 14, 2021

National Monkey Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/589273625
Created by: Lennon, Alex K, & Henry H. 

We chose National Monkey Day because: 

• Monkeys, who doesn’t like them?
• We evolved from them so without them we wouldn’t be here. 
• Monkeys are omnivores so they don’t have a restricted diet.

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December 25, 2021

Christmas Day
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/593338888/
Created by: Aakanksha, Sophia, & Caleb

We chose Christmas because it is a time of love and family, it is also a time of unity and kindness. Christmas is celebrated in different forms, some more obscure like the Icelandic Ule Lads, some more famous like Saint Nicolas. But all of them remind us of kindness and compassion. Although some cultures have a punisher (like Krampus in Austria, or Gryla in Iceland.), we think it reminds us that we can always be a better person. Christmas is a season of rebirth, it’s a fresh start. It reminds us of the cold withering away, and life coming back. It’s also a time to review how the year went, and the memories you made. It lets you recenter yourself.

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December 30, 2021

National Bacon Day
Created by: Mark, Axel, & Andy
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/593965158/

December 30 is a great day because it’s national bacon day which is CLEARLY the best holiday of the year because it helps us really appreciate bacon and it’s amazing flavor. During national bacon day people will add bacon to their eggs, salad, bacon or if they want just eat more bacon. We can only think of one downside: that is some stores might increase the price of bacon but that’s a small price to pay for bacon.

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December 31, 2021

New Year’s Eve
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/591956472
Created by: Abe, Brady, & Ian

New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31. We decided to do New Year’s Eve because it’s a very important holiday that celebrates a new year.