Los Angeles Student Codes to Help His Mom

“Now I see coding is everywhere, in almost everything we do. I can pretty much make anything by coding it.”

Nathaniel Carnow from Los Angeles, California was recognized with the 2023 Broadcom Coding with Commitment award while in 8^th grade for using coding to build a hand-washing timer and to help people who are immune-compromised. 

Broadcom Coding with Commitment recognizes students in grades 5-8 who combine STEM learning with coding to solve a community problem they care about that aligns with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Nathaniel’s design helps people wash their hands for 20 seconds, as recommended by the CDC. During the pandemic, Nathaniel learned that hand washing is essential for reducing the risk of infection.

“My inspiration was to help people who are immune compromised like my mom to feel more comfortable knowing they washed their hands the right amount of time,” said Nathaniel.  “When I found out I won, I was surprised and felt so proud of my hard work.”

Nathaniel started coding with Scratch and “was hooked.”  “Now I see how coding is everywhere in almost everything we do. I can pretty much make anything by coding it,” he said.

Nathaniel has also taught other students how to code a quick game, inspiring them to start basic coding, a foundational skill for STEM education and workforce readiness.

Basic Coding is a 21^st Century+ skill that girls, under-resourced, and underrepresented youth need to become digitally literate and compete for highly skilled jobs in emerging industries built on technologies of the future.

“Coding lets me do whatever I want and not what someone tells me to do,” said Nathaniel. “It’s like when someone draws on a blank paper except I code and get to be creative.”

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Raspberry Pi has free resources to help anyone learn how to code and teach basic coding.  Visit the Projects site to get started.

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