Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Elias Lindgren

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week, we highlight sixth grader Elias Lindgren of Episcopal Academy for his recent presentation on the computer coding program Scratch which he presented to over 100 teachers from the nation at the annual International Society for Technology in Education conference at M.I.T.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Elias Lindgren

Whiz Kid's Age: 12

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Sixth-grade student, Elias Lindgren, presented "Serious Play: 5th Grader Presents M.I.T.'s Scratch Programming Language" at the annual conference of the International Society for Technology in Education in June. Over 100 teachers from across the country attended the hour-long "BYOL" ("Bring Your Own Laptop") session. Elias demonstrated how to build a simple version of the classic computer game, "Pong," by using simple coding techniques with the program Scratch. Elias also spoke about the dynamic social aspect of the Scratch community: how kids use each other's code, play each others' games, create stories together and expand on others' projects.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Although it was a computer coding program that his father, Alex, initially introduced him to, Elias quickly caught on to the program and grew to enjoy it.

"Scratch is a very simple programming language made by M.I.T for kids," explained Elias about the computer coding program he learned. "Instead of typing in lines of codes, they're these little boxes that look like puzzle pieces and you can drag and put them together."

Elias introduced the program to a group of over 100 teachers and educators in June. He learned the program in the fourth grade, and believes anyone could easily use the program.

"It's made to be easy to use," said Elias. "Instead of memorizing all these codes and typing these all in, you can figure it out yourself with these little boxes."

Although admittedly nervous presenting in front of teachers and educators as the youngest participant at the conference, Elias said he wouldn't mind speaking publicly again.

"It was my first time public speaking," said Elias. "I was one of the youngest people there. I was pretty nervous but I'd like to do it again."

Surrounded by technology growing up, thanks to his father who is the technology director at Episcopal Academy, Elias naturally grew to enjoy learning technology and programming.

"I think his [father] profession has influenced me with technology," said Elias. "I was kind of always around technology when I was younger. I'm definitely interested in technology. I think it's cool that you can make anything with it."

Elias predicts that almost everything will be based around technology.

"Technology keeps going and there are new ways doing all sorts of stuff–book stores and video stores are all going out of business...we're sort of going to need to know how to work with it and send emails," shared Elias.



Editor's note: Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.