Our proprietary curriculum is developed by industry and domain experts investing hundreds of hours in research and development to create the best technology program for your child.
New students receive a 2 week money back guarantee.
Coding & Tech Leadership
Starting in March. Small Class sizes. All classes taught virtually.
Questions? Call us at 980-292-1441 OR set up a 15 min conversation HERE
Our new Tech Leadership program is meant to expand the curriculum beyond the basics. Our comprehensive program designed to equip students with a diverse skill set in various facets of technology. The program unfolds in four distinct phases, each focusing on different aspects of computer science and programming.
Overall, out Tech Leadership program provides a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities needed to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Through hands-on projects, competitions, and mentorship, students emerge as proficient and confident tech leaders ready to make an impact in the world.
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | Phase 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Development + Learn Intermediate to Advanced Coding Skills | Deeper Algorithms and Data Structures + Competitive Programming | Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Applying to the Real World |
| JavaScript, Python, Roblox + Lua | JAVA, MERN Full Stack | Python | All Platforms |
View Full Details Below
Phase 1
Game Development
* Once Students complete this phase, they will be ready to become 'student teachers'.
JavaScript
Python
Roblox
JavaScript
3 Months JavaScript + 1 Month Independent Project
Learn Coding Fundamentals. Students will build multiple interactive games and applications as they learn one of the most powerful web scripting languages. This camp will give them a real-world flavor of what goes behind many of the web applications they experience in their daily lives. Plus, they end the program with enough knowledge to continue their learning at home in their path to become independent programmers.
Beginner friendly where students start with simple Applications and Games, and code collision detection, timers, scoring, levels, various user interactions, and more. Advanced students dive into building Encryption/decryption algorithms as they learn about cyber security and secure messaging.
Technical Concepts
- Document Object Model
- All aspects of animations: Color, Size, Background, Images, Shapes, Movements
- Multiple loops including simple, conditional, and nested loops
- Function definition and Function calls
Python
3 Months Python + 1 Month Independent Project
Learn Coding Fundamentals. Students will start their journey on one of the most prolific computer programming platforms that are used by professionals in many industries as they design multiple graphic games and applications.
Starting with simple animations, they will gradually progress into coding multiple games in Python.
Students start with learning basic Python constructs of functions, conditional statements, loops, delay timers and more. Gradually they learn advanced algorithms of collision detection, use of array lists for spawning multiple instances of game characters and more.
Roblox
2 Months Roblox + 1 Month Independent Project
Learn 3D Design and Coding with Rapid Development Tools. Design 3D models, city structures, mystical creatures, flying vehicles and more in the Roblox gaming environment, with a strong emphasis on coding. Code in the programming language Lua with loops, conditional statements, nested loops and more.
Students Learn Algorithms & Design. Integrate obstacle courses and adventure games into their 3D models. A great combination of design and coding to develop creative problem-solving skills.
Phase 2
Algorithmic Programming
* Once students complete this phase, they will be ready for community service & portfolio building.
JAVA
USACO
Full Stack Web Dev
JAVA
4 Months JAVA Based Algorithms
Java Fundamentals. Algorithms & Data Structures. This unique program will start with the basics of JAVA. Program pacing will be very comfortable for middle and high schoolers with prior exposure to coding. Students will learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming, algorithms, basic data structures and more as they take their first major leap into the world of computer science.
Program flow (guideline):
- Fundamental data types
- Simple and nested loops
- Array manipulation
- Functions
- Simple classes and inheritance
- Simple algorithms
- Array lists
- Advanced nested loops
- Advanced functions including recursive functions
- Complex classes and inheritance
- Advanced data structures - Trees
- Advanced algorithms
USACO
4 Month of USACO Preparation
WHY COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMING
We have FOUR reasons why:
- Very simply, if your child is a hungry problem solver and has a analytical bent of mind - they will love this. It's an excellent food for the curious mind.
- While this may not be in their near horizon but many job interviews by Google, Microsoft, etc are algorithmic in nature.
- Many top universities value performance in the USACO.
- It is a lot of fun.
WHAT IS COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMING
The goal of our Competitive Programming classes is to build strong algorithmic thinking in students and prepare them for the USA Computing Olympiad (www.usaco.org).
The journey takes time, which is why we start early. In addition to learning a Coding platform like JAVA or Python, the more important skill students need to develop is deep algorithmic thinking.
Check out a sample problem of the USA Computing Olympiad (for our Level Zen students):
The cows have come up with a creative new game, surprisingly giving it the least creative name possible: "Moo".
The game of Moo is played on an N×N grid of square cells, where a cow claims a grid cell by yelling "moo!" and writing her numeric ID number in the cell.
At the end of the game, every cell contains a number. At this point, a cow wins the game if she has created a region of connected cells as least as large as any other region. A "region" is defined as a group of cells all with the same ID number, where every cell in the region is directly adjacent to some other cell in the same region either above, below, left, or to the right (diagonals don't count).
Since it is a bit boring to play as individuals, the cows are also interested in pairing up to play as teams. A team of two cows can create a region as before, but now the cells in the region can belong to either of the two cows on the team.
Given the final state of the game board, please help the cows compute the number of cells belonging to the largest region that any one cow owns, and the number of cells belonging to the largest region that can be claimed by a two-cow team. A region claimed by a two-cow team only counts if it contains the ID numbers of both cows on the team, not just one of the cows.
INPUT FORMAT
The first line of input contains N (1≤N≤250). The next N lines each contain N integers (each in the range 0…106), describing the final state of the game board. At least two distinct ID numbers will be present in the board.
OUTPUT FORMAT
The first line of output should describe the largest region size claimed by any single cow, and the second line of output should describe the largest region size claimed by any team of two cows.
SAMPLE INPUT:
4
2 3 9 3
4 9 9 1
9 9 1 7
2 1 1 9
SAMPLE OUTPUT:
5
10
As you will see there is no standard formula for solving these problems. Instead, students learn to excel through years of developing strong problem solving skills and algorithmic thinking.
USACO Prep & Contests
4 Months of USACO Preparation
Students will start prepping for USACO and taking contests.
Full Stack Web Dev
Summer
Front End Development. Students will learn the basics of HTML including elements, page layout, and document object model. Along with HTML, they will learn about CSS and identifiers, properties, and rules. Students will create responsive web design and gain a DevOps Introduction. Students will gain an overview of GitHub and Git command line interface.
Front End / Scripting.
- Bootstrap: Components, Utilities, and the Grid. JavaScript Deep Dive.
- JavaScript Deep Dive
- jQuery: DOM Manipulation, methods, dynamic elements, front end API consumption (Ajax)
- React.js
- JSX, class components, functional components, styling, props, state, react data flow
- Callback functions, react hooks, conditional rendering, react routing, lifecycles, state management libraries, advanced react hooks
Dev Ops
- GitHub branches and merging.
- Static Hosting
- Heroku and Server hosting
- Cloud Hosting
- MongoDB Atlas
- Domain Hosting
Back End / Scripting
- Node.js: Node overview, process and parameters, node CLI, node package manager, synchronous vs asynchronous patterns.
- Express.js: server creation, serving HTML, RESTful API creation, POST and GET, routing.
- MongoDB: relational vs on-relational databases, data handling, ORMs, Mongoose, CRUD
Software Development Methodologies. Waterfall, Agile, Kanban.
Phase 3
Data Science & AI/ML
* Once Students complete this phase, they will be ready to become 'student teachers'.
Python
AI / Machine Learning
Research
Python
3 Months Python Data Science Basics + 1 Month Independent Project
Data Ingestion, Summarization, Pre-Processing. Students will learn to read data files into Python usable datasets. They will generate summarized data views including basic statistics for broad understanding of the dataset. Students will also learn to create basic data visualizations. Students will learn how to pre-process data for model building.
Python libraries that students will use include Pandas, NumPy, and matplotlib.
Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning
6 Months AI/ML + 2 Months Independent Project
Supervised Learning: Classifications. Students will learn about Classifications Algorithms in ML including regressions, Decision Trees, and Random Forests.
Unsupervised Learning: Algorithms. Students will learn about Clustering and K-Means.
Deep Learning & Neural Networks. Students will learn about Deep Learning with Neural Networks and Computer Vision. They will learn about image and handwriting recognition. Students will be able to create medical imaging based predictions.
Basic chatbots. Students will learn the fundamentals of a Language Model and building automated response chatbots.
Research
Students are ready for research on Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning.
Phase 4
Choose a Track
Once Phases 1 -3 are completed, students will choose a track to continue. All participants will be guided to craft their own tech portfolios on GitHub, showcasing their individual tracks and accomplishments.
Few instances of past successes: Our students have built sites for city of Charlotte, Sports Clubs, and local newspapers. They have won many Coding competitions on regional and national levels. Students have applied their AI/ML learnings in Science research for Science Fairs and publications.
Track 1
Advanced Game Dev
Track 2
Science Research
Track 3
Full Stack Web Dev
Advanced Game Dev with Unity & Unreal Engine
Object oriented programming and slick designs come together in this unique Game Dev camp like none other! Prepare to be amazed. Students will design 3D games from scratch, learning the basics of Object Oriented Programming and 3D design.
- Starting with fundamentals they will build a fully functioning game that they can take home with them.
- Beginner friendly program to learn one of the most popular Game Development platforms used by professionals.
- Unlock your child's creative potential with this one-of-a-kind camp to learn coding and design in a 3D game environment.
Science Research with AI/ML
Students will pick a topic (guidance will be provided) for application of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning. The topic will require additional research on the domain and also for incorporating novel modeling methodologies. Students will work on the problem for multiple months to create projects to be presented in Science Fair.
Full Stack Web Development
Students will take on community service projects applying their Web Development skills. In the past our students have built live websites for City of Charlotte.
Logistics
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | Phase 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Expertise | Game Development + Learn Intermediate to Advanced Coding Skills | Deeper Algorithms and Data Structures + Competitive Programming | Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Applying to the Real World |
| Coding Platforms | JavaScript, Python, Roblox + Lua | JAVA, MERN Full Stack | Python | All Platforms |
| Starting Grade | 6th - 8th | 6th - 8th | 6th - 8th | Students who have Completed Phases 1 - 3 |
| Tuition (Please Read Tuition & Cancellation Policy Below) | $135 / 4 weeks | $135 / 4 weeks | $135 / 4 weeks | $135 / 4 weeks |
| Pre-Requisites | None | Phase 1 OR at least 12 months of coding experience in JavaScript or Python | Phase 2 OR at least 18 months of coding experience in JavaScript or Python | |
| Achievements | Students can Teach. | Students start participating in Competitive Programming. | Students start Scientific Research in AI/ML. | Students start community service / advance in Game Development, Competitive Programming, Scientific Research. |
Tuition & Cancellation Policy: Tuition charged for the full 3 or 4 month unit. Cancellation allowed for a full refund before the start of the 3rd class of a new unit.
Our Approach
Learning HOW TO CODE is not hard at all for kids these days. In fact, if you are just looking for your child to learn to code, we would not advise you to spend money on any workshop or program. There are plenty of free resources available online that will teach your child some coding in less than a month.
Why then, you may ask, do we offer such a prolific technology program here at Thinking Feet?
At Thinking Feet, we do not believe in spoon feeding code - we do not simply tell students what to do. Many programs take that approach but then your child is essentially learning how to follow instructions in technology.
At Thinking Feet, we do hold their hands in the early learning stages but very soon we let our students lead the way through a unique classroom methodology that fosters brainstorming, creative thinking and Technology Leadership.
Our students learn to take risks & chances, and embrace failure along the way to learning and success. This has implications beyond just technology enrichment. This journey of coaching and development takes time, which is why our programs span 8 - 12 weeks per unit. To meet this objective, we develop our own curriculum...none of the available online curriculum (free or paid) come even close to what we offer.
What do our classrooms look like?
In our classrooms, you will find a lot of student participation, diverse sets of ideas and thoughts flying all across. Students will experiment, make mistakes and learn as they go through their coding journey. The energy is palpable.
Students learn as much if not more from each other's creative thoughts, as they do from the coach.
The genesis of our curriculum and classroom methodology, stems from an objective of developing problem solving and creative thinking aptitude in our students.
Our goal is to instill in students the strategies and confidence to embrace any new technology platform and innovate by conceptualizing ideas, coding them and solving through problems as they emerge.
Your child will go beyond coding and become a better Creative Thinker, Planner, and Problem Solver in the world of Technology!
Thinking Feet’s main learning center is located in the Ballantyne area in Mecklenburg county. We are just minutes away from nearby Blakeney, Weddington, Marvin, Waxhaw, Pineville, Matthews, Wesley Chapel, Piper Glen and Fort Mill, SC.