Coding has become a vital and enriching part of science. Consequently, more and more educational institutions recognize that science education should not just be about writing down equations by hand and memorizing formulas but also about algorithmic thinking, numerical strategies and data analysis. In some places, like Norway, programming has even entered the national curriculum, and teachers are tasked with using Python code in the classroom.

However, for the teachers that need to learn a whole new skill and fit coding into their already jam-packed lesson plans, this can feel like an overwhelming nightmare. Therefore, they need courses that both teach introductory Python and how to use it in an engaging way. When creating such courses, how do we demonstrate that Python is a powerful tool for solving curriculum-relevant mathematics problems without overlooking the boundless potential of code as an instrument for creative and joyful exploration?

I don’t have all the answers, but after working five years as an educator, developing and teaching courses for grade school, middle school and high school teachers, I have learned some lessons. In this talk, I want to share my experience, discuss the biggest challenges I have encountered, and give some helpful tips about teaching Python to beginners.

I will cover:

• Communicating the entire journey of coding, not just the finished code
• Teaching the skill of “talking code” not just writing code
• Getting beginners started early with fun and engaging problems despite little or no coding experience

This talk is for anyone interested in spreading the joy of Python both inside and outside the classroom!