Didn't work:
- BASIC, Ruby, Python, Java setups + intros, tutorials.
- LEGO Mindstorms
- Scratch, Squeak
- Coding classes / camps
Note that I "made these things "available" but never pushed. I'd set up the environment, show him to to edit and run the code, and pointed him to tutorials. After some time went by I'd show him the next thing. Rinse and repeat.
Worked:
A Texas Instruments programmable calculator. He read the manual, played with it a bit, then found out he could automate some of his homework. Then found out he could make simple games. Then fairly impressive games.
After that, he did a bunch of Minecraft programming and loved it.
Fast forward a decade and he smokes through Advent of Code without breaking a sweat, and is a co-founder and CTO.
I.e. all my efforts to pique interest didn't have any effect that I could see. He had to find his own way to it.
Worked:
A Texas Instruments programmable calculator. He read the manual, played with it a bit, then found out he could automate some of his homework. Then found out he could make simple games. Then fairly impressive games.
After that, he did a bunch of Minecraft programming and loved it.
Fast forward a decade and he smokes through Advent of Code without breaking a sweat, and is a co-founder and CTO.
I.e. all my efforts to pique interest didn't have any effect that I could see. He had to find his own way to it.