Over the past eight months, our CS Ambassador, Blake Schafer, embarked on a journey across North America, driven by a mission to bring computer science education to life in as many classrooms as possible. Traveling 27,315 miles over 235 days—coding coast to coast, border to border, over mountains, across plains, and even on an island—Blake set out to visit schools, meet students and teachers, and see firsthand how CodeHS is making an impact.
By the end of the trip, we had visited 151 schools in 47 states, meeting over 10,000 students and 200 teachers. From elementary schools to high schools, they shared great feedback about the site. Elementary teachers valued the platform’s simplicity, while high school educators expressed interest in advanced content to keep up with their students’ ambitions. Everywhere we went, there was a shared sense of excitement about coding and the future of technology!
Elementary: 7 schools
Middle School: 33 schools
High School: 111 schools
"Blake was the best! He really connected with the students. My class and I had a great time and learned a lot! Thank you for this effective and meaningful outreach service!" - Terri Whitmer (Stow-Monrue High School, Ohio)
Reflecting on the journey, a few key takeaways emerged:
CS is for Everyone: From major cities to rural towns, teachers and students alike are finding creative ways to engage with computer science.
Real-World Connections: Students are eager to meet individuals in the computer science field and better understand the connection of their course work to the real world.
AI Interest: Teachers are asking about AI, and intrigued with how they can use it to improve their classroom workflows and engage students.
Support is Critical: Many computer science teachers are new to the field and rely on support from their districts, professional development resources, and platforms (like CodeHS) to run their CS classes.
The Next Generation is Ready: More than 10,000 students engaged and eager to code—nothing beats that enthusiasm!
One of the most impressive student projects came from a high schooler in Stow-Munroe, Ohio. We challenged students to recreate the iconic pink van using the Python Turtle graphics library. After two weeks, Blake received an email with the program attached—the one you see below. It’s amazing how creative young minds can be! The most common question from students was, “Where did Karel come from?”—a testament to how quickly they connected with the platform.
“Blake was a hit with my kids, and they really engaged with his message and his story. They particularly enjoyed being challenged to write specific code and rise to the occasion in front of the class. His prizes were a hit, and we had a wonderful time with his visit!” - Ryan Connors (Christina High School, Delaware)
Along the way, the road trip turned into an adventure in its own right. Some of the most memorable highlights included:
National Parks: Zion, the Grand Tetons, the Redwoods, Joshua Tree, and the Grand Canyon. Zion was the standout, but each offered a unique and unforgettable experience.
Best Food: Pizza in New Haven, BBQ in Charleston, New Orleans creole food, and a cozy mom-and-pop burger joint in Oxford, Mississippi.
Sports and Concerts: Three NFL games, two hockey matches, a UFC event, a college basketball game, and shows at the Preservation Jazz Hall and an EDM concert.
Best Campout: Sleeping under the stars on the roof of the pink van at Smithville Lake, Missouri.
Best Roadside Attraction: Mount Rushmore.
To make the trip even more memorable, we ran a PS5 giveaway during the journey, which drew nearly 300 entries. We mentioned it at every stop, encouraging students to join in on the fun. In the end, a student from Fort Smith, Arkansas was announced as the winner!
This journey was more than just miles and numbers—it was about discovering a vibrant community of learners and educators, each contributing to the future of technology and innovation. It was a reminder that CodeHS isn’t just a product—it’s a community, a support system, and a launchpad for the next generation of creators and problem-solvers.
“Blake was an amazing ambassador for computer science and for CodeHS. He got a 100% thumbs up salute from the students in my classes.” - Melissa Hendrickson (Howard Lake Waverly Winstead, Minnesota)
Thank you to every teacher and student who welcomed us, shared their stories, and made this road trip such an inspiring experience. Your dedication and enthusiasm for computer science make all the difference.
