Your guide to Hour of Code
Tailored how-to guides for the best Hour of Code experience.
View guide for
The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, using fun tutorials to show that anybody can learn the basics. Your efforts can make a huge impact on the way students view computer science and their own potential.
Schools and organizations who fully engage with Hour of Code can help raise awareness of the computer science movement and inspire more students to try computer science, particularly young women and students from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
Register your Hour of Code event to receive early access to information about new activities and special promotions! When 300 or more students participate, you can receive a special engagement kit with t-shirts, posters, laptop stickers, and more. Share your whole school event plan to qualify.
Before Hour of Code
You can also view the Hour of Code map to see your event, and know that your dedication is part of a worldwide movement.
This year, the Hour of Code theme is Creativity with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether it’s coding new apps and algorithms, generating unique art, or crafting choreography to get us dancing, AI is opening up fresh opportunities for digital expression that expand our understanding of creativity. Make this year special by completing a coding activity AND learning about AI.
First, explore hundreds of coding activities and choose one based on your group's age, experience, interests and more. These select activities feature artificial intelligence as a key topic or lesson.
Then, learn all about AI. Students can watch short videos featuring experts in the field, and there are accompanying lesson plans to extend the activity and guide further discussion. Or, we offer free professional learning for educators to unlock the future of teaching with and about AI.
Consider where and when you want to hold your event, as well as the tech capabilities of your space. Students can work on their own devices, in pairs on one device, or together as a classroom on a projector, and there are even unplugged tutorials that can be completed with no devices at all!
Send a letter to an elected official or influential business person and invite them to speak. Check out our how-to toolkit when hosting an elected official during an Hour of Code for more info.
You may also invite the local media, such as a local news station, newspaper, or education/tech bloggers. See our press kit for help.
Here's a sample agenda to get you started:
As students are working on their activity, take pictures to commemorate the event, and to post on your organization's social media networks. (Publicity or privacy policies may apply.)
Day of Hour of Code
Make sure the agenda is running smoothly, and that it remains on track to end on time—especially if any special guests have other scheduled commitments to attend.
After a successful Hour of Code event, make sure to:
It doesn't end here!
After Hour of Code
Computer science doesn't have to end with the Hour of Code! While 90% of parents want their child to learn computer science, most schools still don't teach it. Check out the diverse curriculum offerings from Hour of Code partners, and learn how to bring CS to your school today!
Go beyond the Hour of CodeThe Hour of Code is simple to run — even for beginners. You don't need experience in computer science or teaching in order to inspire students to explore, create, and learn something new.
Devices you can use:
If devices are limited or unavailable, try pair programming or explore our unplugged activities to learn without any devices at all!
Find all the resources you need—print and digital—to bring attention to your Hour of Code.
Explore a wide selection of one-hour tutorials designed for all ages in over 45 languages.
Help spread the word about Hour of Code! Discover ways to get your community involved.