BDPA Twin Cities

Youth Coding Classes

Youth Programmatic Thinking (Youth PT)

BDPA Twin Cities offers free youth coding classes in Saint Paul for students in grades 3 through 12.

Through our Youth Programmatic Thinking (Youth PT) initiative, students learn the foundations of computer science in a fun, engaging, and inclusive environment—taught by real IT professionals and mentors of color.

Our two beginner-level courses—Scratch Programming and Python Programming—run for 8 weeks every Saturday at Metro State University’s Midway Campus.

Whether your child is curious about games, apps, or how the internet works, this program is designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and develop future-ready tech skills.

PYTHON Programming (Grades 6–12)

For older students ready to go deeper, Python introduces real coding syntax used by professionals in app development, web programming, and data science.

Students will:

Write and test code using the Python programming language
Explore real-world applications of coding: from game design to websites
Understand core concepts like variables, loops, logic, and functions
Solve problems, debug their own code, and learn to “think like a developer”
Work alongside experienced I.T. mentors and instructors

Ideal for students with some tech curiosity or past exposure to STEM concepts.

Registered trademark of The Python Software Foundation

SCRATCH Programming (Grades 3–6)

Perfect for younger students who are new to technology. Using the block-based coding platform Scratch, students will learn the building blocks of logic, animation, and storytelling.