NCTIES2025

In the spirit of Mardi Gras, this lively and interactive session will immerse participants in a vibrant "Coding Carnival." Attendees will take part in a series of unplugged coding activities using everyday materials such as decks of cards and simple toys—just like the colorful trinkets and playful elements of a Mardi Gras parade! These hands-on activities integrate physical movement with coding patterns, transforming the session into a festive celebration of critical thinking, computational thinking, and problem-solving.
The presenter will demonstrate how each unplugged coding activity can be adapted to various skill levels, allowing participants to adjust the "floats" in their coding parade—whether they're beginners or seasoned tech enthusiasts. Through the Mardi Gras theme, we will also explore the “how and why” of coding, helping participants understand how these unplugged activities lead to stronger digital coding skills.
The session will culminate in a collaborative “Brainstorm Bead Toss,” where participants will exchange and develop new ideas, similar to the way Mardi Gras participants share and celebrate their creativity. This concluding activity will encourage educators to design their own unplugged coding activities that they can bring back to their classrooms, spreading the Mardi Gras coding spirit.