Initiative provides community-driven coding program for young learners

While many teens are winding down from summer or scrolling TikTok, a group of St. Robert High School students is rolling up their sleeves — not for homework, but to run a community-driven Python programming course for younger learners.

Now entering its third phase, the initiative is entirely student-led and not-for-profit, created by youth determined to make STEM education accessible, engaging, and inclusive.

“We wanted to create something that we wish we had when we were in middle school,” says Anderson Lai, one of the lead organizers and a budding software developer. “Learning to code shouldn’t feel intimidating or out of reach.”

Alongside fellow student mentors Oscar He and Matthew Hou, the team behind the course isn’t just teaching syntax — they’re building confidence, curiosity, and community. Participants, many of them in middle school, are guided through hands-on projects and real coding challenges in a supportive environment that encourages exploration.

The program has already reached dozens of young learners, earning praise from parents for the relatability of its instructors. Many students leave inspired to continue coding on their own.

Workshops are offered both online and in person, making them accessible to families across the Greater Toronto Area. The multi-week sessions accommodate both beginners and those with prior experience.

Behind the scenes, the organizers balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and college prep while planning lessons, managing registrations, and delivering weekly classes — all fueled by passion, not paychecks.

“This isn’t about grades or volunteer hours,” says He. “It’s about giving back and helping more kids see themselves in tech.”

As the tech industry continues to grow, grassroots programs like this one are planting seeds for the next generation of innovators — one Python line at a time.

Course rates are about 90 per cent lower than some comparable courses. In-person sessions take place at Angus Glen Library. More information is available at codeup.ca