Actions

After coding event, stay for first-ever Jedi Prom at Science Museum

Posted at 3:16 PM, Dec 03, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-03 15:16:04-05

RICHMOND, Va.  — Have you ever wanted to dress as your favorite intergalactic hero or villain? Here’s your chance.  CodeVA will host a first-ever Jedi Prom on Dec. 7 from 7-10 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Richmond-based rock band Goldrush will set the mood for the Star Wars themed-prom. There will also be live performances by Comedy Sportz.

As an educational tie-in, Tedx RVA will host screenings of TEDTalks that focus on computer science.

Ticket sales are $10 if under the age of 21. Otherwise, they are $25 in advance and $35 at the door.  Price of admission includes two drinks and light snacks, and serves as a fundraiser for the organization CodeVA. For those of age to consume adult beverages, the beer sponsor is Stone Brewing Co.

Code VA is a local non-profit that promotes computer science and programming across Virginia.  Their mission is to teach children how to code and raise awareness of computer science.

The organization has been recognized by the state leaders who promote computer science in education.

Nearly 70 percent of STEM  – science, tech, engineering and math –  jobs require computer science background, though “only about one-in-10 high schools nationwide offer computer science classes,” according to CodeVA founders.

The Jedi Prom connects to a bigger mission: Hour of Code. Ten Central Virginia school districts, government officials and local businesses will  celebrate Hour of Code at the Science Museum.  The theme will be Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code.

It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. , which gives people plenty of time to throw on their intergalactic costumes for the ball.

There are almost 200,000 registered Hour of Code events occuring around the world, from Dec. 7 – Dec. 13, as part of Computer Science Education Week.

However, Jedi Prom is open to all ages.

By Alexis Carey 

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.