STEM

Sylvan, Tynker Partner on After-School Coding Classes

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 04/14/15

Sylvan Learning and Tynker have partnered to offer after-school coding classes at more than 600 sylvan locations.

The Sylvan Edge Coding classes are designed to help students learn to use Tynker's tools and tutorials to build video games, apps, animations and other projects.

"Computer programming empowers children to develop the technical and creative skill set that connects existing ideas with new solutions, approaches and concepts, enhancing their STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills in the process," according to a news release. "Tynker's fun and engaging approach has introduced more than 23 million kids to computer programming, giving them 21st Century skills that they can carry into adulthood and enabling them to thrive in an ever-growing digital world."

"Kids easily learned how to use Tynker and enjoyed an exciting sense of accomplishment as they created games that reflected their imagination," said Jason Balli, assistant center director at a Sylvan facility that piloted the courses, in a prepared statement. "The energy and eagerness of the kids increased each day they attended."

"Our partnership with Sylvan means that more students will master the programming skills needed to successfully navigate a technology-filled world and become tomorrow's 'makers', which is at the core of our mission," said Krishna Vedati, Tynker cofounder and CEO, in a prepared statement. "Sylvan's teachers and camp directors across the country are now able to roll out coding after-school programs and camps in a turnkey way, enabling their students in grades 3-8 to learn video game design, app development and more in as little as 6 weeks."