Today's Question Blog

When should kids learn to program computers?

Kids who code
Students learn how to write computer code in Rochester, Minn. (Photo for MPR News by Alex Kolyer)

In Rochester, officials are looking for ways to grow computer programmers locally. Surya Ghatty is one of a group of IBM and Mayo Clinic programmers and software developers mentoring local students, teaching young kids how to code even before their hands are big enough to stretch completely across a keyboard.

"We would like to see more jobs related to computer programming in town," said Jim Rogers, chairman of Mayo Clinic Ventures, which manages the clinic's intellectual properties and patents.

More from MPR News reporter Elizabeth Baier.

Today's Question: When should kids learn to program computers?