Competitive underwater robotics are a thing of the past for South Whidbey’s international Atlantis ROV crew.

Now, the team of three teenage girls is looking forward, and that future will feature the language of computer code. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Atlantis ROV and Whidbey Makers are teaming up to put on a day full of free computer wonderment as part of the international Hour of Code to teach young people how to program software. According to www.hourofcode.com/us, the event is designed to “demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.”

“It’s not only a learning experience, it’s also a social event,” said Andy Gilbert, one of the founders of the Clinton science labs at Whidbey Makers. “You get to meet people with similar interests.”

Atlantis ROV made international headlines this summer with an invitation to the Black Sea International ROV Competition in Romania. The team of Hannah McConnaughey, Haley McConnaughey and Annika Hustad left as high school champions and returned as local inspiration. Shortly after their trip, they were invited to visit with the team responsible for the Microsoft Surface tablet at the company’s campus in Redmond.

That was followed by an invitation to be part of the Women in Innovation panel at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region conference in Seattle a couple of weekends ago. On stage was the director of science and education from the Pacific Science Center, the woman responsible for bringing Ford automobiles into China, and the three South Whidbey teens.

One of the lessons from the Microsoft meeting came into effect during the conference. Haley recalled being told to dream big and ask big, so when Atlantis had the chance during the panel, the girls asked for help with the Hour of Code.

The response they got was overwhelming. Atlantis and Whidbey Makers are expecting a few people from the Microsoft Surface team and several representatives from Alaska Airlines to take part in the coding events on South Whidbey.

“It’s really, really, really cool,” Gilbert said. “It’s big for us. It’s big for Whidbey Island.”

Writing code dictates all the functions of any computerized device, from a microwave to a smart phone. On Thursday, Haley demonstrated some of the online tutorials that show how coding works via an Angry Birds scenario that required moving blocks of code that read “move forward,” “turn left” or “turn right.”

“It doesn’t take a genius,” Haley said. “Anyone can do it.”

Coding could become a mundane activity. The guys at Whidbey Makers pointed to their 3D printers, which can rely on taking code to create well-known objects, such as iPhone cases or bracelets, and modifying them with a user’s own code.

“What computers did for people, industry, everything, coding is the next step,” Gilbert said.

Some computers will be available, but not nearly enough at Whidbey Makers or the Freeland Library, where Hour of Code events are planned. Gilbert encouraged people to bring their own computers to take part in the coding, but also noted that during segments where there won’t be hands on keyboards, other lessons will occur about 3D printing.

“Bring your ideas and willingness to participate,” Gilbert said. “No one will be twiddling their thumbs.”

Several events are taking place Wednesday, Dec. 10 on South Whidbey as part of the international learning event known as Hour of Code.

The day is a half day for South Whidbey School District students, and everything being offered is free. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to bring a laptop, tablet or smart phone.

Whidbey’s Hour of Code

Several events are taking place Wednesday, Dec. 10 on South Whidbey as part of the international learning event known as Hour of Code. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to bring a laptop, tablet or smart phone.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Hour of Code at Whidbey Makers in Ken’s Korner, Clinton.

1:30 to 3 p.m. Women in STEM and hackathon at Whidbey Makers, Clinton.

3 to 5 p.m. Hour of Code at Whidbey Makers, Clinton.

3:30 to 5 p.m. Hour of Code at Freeland Library.

6 to 8 p.m. Hour of Code and hackathon at Whidbey Makers, Clinton.