Creative Coding in Python teaches kids the fundamentals of computer programming and demonstrates how to code 30+ fun, creative projects using Python, a free, intuitive, open-source programming language that's one of the top five most popular worldwide.

Computer science educator Sheena Vaidyanathan helps kids understand the fundamental ideas of computer programming and the process of computational thinking using illustrations, flowcharts, and pseudocode, then shows how to apply those essentials to code exciting projects in Python:

• Arcade games and apps: Understand GUI (graphical user interfaces) and create your own arcade games and apps.
• Geometric art: Use turtle graphics to create original masterpieces.
• Interactive fiction: Explore booleans and conditionals to invent “create your own adventure” games.
• Chatbots: Discover variables, strings, integers, and more to design conversational programs.
• Dice games: Reuse code to devise games of chance.
• What’s next? Look at exciting ways to use your powerful new skills and expand your knowledge of coding in Python.

Sheena Vaidyanathan teaches a Python-based computer science class to 11- to 13-year-olds and is the Computer Science Integration Specialist in the Los Altos School District, in Los Altos, California, where she has also designed computer science curricula, conducted professional development for the K–8 STEM program, and taught pre-algebra, digital design, and visual art. Vaidyanathan is also the program director for the computer science professional development programs at Krause Center for Innovation, Foothill College, where she teaches teachers to code in Python, Scratch, and other languages. Over the years, hundreds of students and teachers have learned to code in her classes. She shares her many years of experience teaching coding by writing articles, presenting at conferences, and providing best practices and student work on her personal website, computersforcreativity.com. Prior to teaching, Vaidyanathan worked in Silicon Valley for more than 10 years as a computer scientist and technology entrepreneur. She lives in Los Altos, California.