The second week of December sees students worldwide trying their hands at coding in Code.org‘s ‘Hour of Code’. Find out how some of the biggest tech companies are taking part.

 

1. Microsoft

Microsoft and Mojang AB, the developer of block-building game Minecraft, put together a Minecraft coding tutorial for students that is available on the Code.org website.

The tutorial of 14 challenges, designed for ages 6 and up, allows the players to navigate a 2-D Minecraft world by putting together blocks to generate computer code.

Microsoft is also lead Hour of Code events across over 50 countries at Microsoft’s stores, offices and innovation centres as well as the facilities of certain partners. Any educator that organises an Hour of Code event will receive Windows Store credit.

 

2. Accenture

Accenture employees pledged to complete nearly 8,000 hours of coding during the week, with the total expected to grow as more commit.

This will involve senior Accenture executives such as Chief Technology Officer Paul Daugherty, Chief Human Resources Officer Ellyn Shook and Chief Executive for North America Group Julie Sweet.

The employees will work with teachers and Code.org to teach computer science basics at local schools and events.

 

3. Apple

Throughout the week, consumer technology giant Apple has been putting its 468 trendy Apple Stores to use teaching children some coding skills.

With events taking place globally, budding coders can use Apple’s website to find a coding event near them. 10 December saw the Hour of Code event, a free one-hour introduction to programming.

 

4. Salesforce

Salesforce has asked its network of employees to try an Hour of Code, as well as to participate by volunteering as guest speakers in their local communities, asking local schools to organise, and spreading the word about the programme on social media.

So far, nearly 7000 participants from the company have committed to the hour on the dedicated website.

 

5. Amazon

The eCommerce giant is contributing by providing every participating Hour of Code organiser with a gift card for $10 from its website.

In addition, Amazon is featuring the project on its homepage and will allow any shopper to donate part of their purchase to Code.org.