Apple opens Hour of Code registration at Apple Stores worldwide

Since 2013, Apple has run an annual coding workshop at Apple stores around the world.

This year, from December 5th to 11th, in celebration of Computer Science Education week, the ritual returns. The event will be hosted in collaboration with Code.org, as it was last year.

“Since we started Hour of Code in 2013, Apple has each year upped its participation and found ways to introduce more kids to computer science. The global footprint Apple offers through its stores and talented staff has reached tens of thousands of kids, and with the introduction of Hour of Code in Swift Playgrounds we can introduce coding to even more,” said Code.org founder Hadi Partovi in a statement.

However, this year’s itinerary will include an introduction to Swift Playgrounds at many Apple store locations. Swift Playgrounds is a free iPad app that helps teach users how to develop with Apple’s own coding language, Swift.

Coding is just like any language and the earlier you’re exposed the more successful you’ll be. Whether at an Apple Store, in a classroom, or at home with an iPad, Swift Playgrounds brings real coding concepts to life and empowers the next generation with the skills they need to express their creativity,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice-president of software engineering, in a statement.

There are 86,976 Hour of Code events happening around the world, 2,275 of which are taking place in Canada.

Related: Canada learning code initiative aims to reach 10 million Canadians by 2027