Elementary students from across East Baton Rouge Parish gathered at Twin Oaks Elementary School for the Boulevard Code-Off, a competition that challenged 4th and 5th grade students to put their coding and computational thinking skills to the test. Representatives of the LSU Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy (Cain Center) volunteered at the event, supporting young learners as they explored computer science through creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The Boulevard Code-Off was created to give elementary students an opportunity to think like programmers, tackle challenges, and celebrate computer science in a fun and supportive environment. Through hands-on, grade-level coding challenges, students applied concepts such as logic, sequencing, and computational thinking while working through problems and learning from their peers.
More than a coding competition, the event allowed students to build confidence, communicate their ideas, and discover what they can accomplish through persistence and teamwork. Cain Center representatives shared their experience of the event, noting the importance of introducing students to computer science at the elementary level and the value of hands-on learning.
The Cain Center works to support expanding access to meaningful STEM learning experiences and strengthen connections between education and the skills students need for future academic and career opportunities. Events like the Boulevard Code-Off demonstrate how early exposure to computer science can spark curiosity, encourage creative thinking, and help students see themselves as capable problem-solvers.
