Day of Code Toolkit: From Our Campus to Yours

What is Day of Code?

Day of Code is a classroom or campus-wide event where students get to explore, learn, and experiment with hands-on and screen-based activities that teach fundamental principles of computer science. Regional Day of Code events partner with the American Printing House (APH) National Coding Symposium to provide accessible, in-person activities for students at all levels as well as opportunities for more advanced learning.

How do I create my own Day of Code?

Want to spread the love of all things robotic and coding in your classroom, district, or state? Or even just get students started with coding and other computer science concepts? We have collected all of our Day of Code knowledge and experience - what has worked, what hasn't, and why - and put them together in this package of tools to help your district, agency, or school design and implement your own Day of Code.

Whether you have a classroom of 3 students or a campus with hundreds of students, we have thought about you as well as everyone in between. We hope that you will find everything that you need in our toolkit to get started. Plus, you can always reach out to our technology team if you need help brainstorming ideas for your Day of Code!

What's the process?

We realize that taking on the task of designing your own Day of Code event may seem daunting in the beginning, but keep in mind that we are here to help. There is great value in small events as well as big events, events with 1 activity and events with 10 or more activities. The most important point to keep in mind is the enormous value of our students' exposure to computer science through games and imaginative play.

Step by Step Guidance

Each document in this toolkit describes the thought and decision-making process that you may undergo as you design your Day of Code, along with a checklist at the end to keep you on track.
Step 1: Initial Planning (DOCX) - Take all of those great ideas you have and see how you can work them into your available space and resources
Step 2: Selecting Activities (DOCX) - Creating and organizing the computer science lessons you plan to teach can be fun and exciting, though perhaps a little overwhelming at first. Please reference CSB's computer science curriculum page for inspiration.
Step 3: Fun with Logistics (DOCX) - You've made it this far, and the fruits of your labor are so close. Just a little more before you're ready to go!
Step 4: Go Time (DOCX) - Congratulations, you've successfully delivered your 1st Day of Code event!

Templates and Forms

Use these sample forms for organizing event registration, creating a schedule, and managing activities.
Day of Code Schedule Template (DOCX) - Plan out your Day of Code, including when and where activities will take place.
Classroom Participation Template (DOCX) - This document is for events that will involve the use of multiple classes on a school campus.
Lesson Roster Template (DOCX) - Use this form if you plan for a specific classroom or other space to have different activities, staff changes, and students moving around throughout the day
Day of Code Registration Form (DOCX) - This document will help you to keep track of invited guests or volunteers who are attending from outside of your classroom or campus.
Day of Code Volunteer Sign Up Form (DOCX) - You can use this form to collect information from on- and off-campus volunteers regarding their availability to help during your event.

We wish you the very best in planning your Day of Code event! Always reach out with questions, suggestions, ideas, and feedback. We look forward to hearing from you about the parts of this toolkit that helped you and ways that it can be improved.

For more information, please contact Allison Mello at amello@csb-cde.ca.gov or 510-936-5661.

Want to learn more about California School for the Blind's Day of Code event? Please visit our Day of Code event page.