Often hidden behind his laptop typing away, senior Cam Friedman has spent the last ten years working on various coding projects and mastering different coding languages. Why?  Friedman believes that computer programming is “one of the only sciences where you have the freedom to create something limitless and unimaginable.”

Last week was the Hour of Code, in which the entire school participated in an hour dedicated to coding.  “It was a great initiative,” Friedman, a member of the Computer Technology Committee, said, “and I think that as time progresses, Parker will become even more involved with the computer sciences in general.”

Nathan Satterfield, a junior at Parker, feels that the Hour of Code “wouldn’t have been possible without Cam’s help.”  “Cam ran the small cafe room with all the senior beginners,” Satterfield said, “and he was the main point of contact for them if they needed any assistance.”

“I really realized my brother was interested in coding when he was in middle school,” sophomore and sister of Cam Friedman said. “He would teach Lower School students about different coding applications and every Sunday would spend over an hour and half on Scratch or another basic computer coding application.”

Friedman’s passion for computer programming has been apparent in everything he has done for CTC and robotics, according to Satterfield.  He said, “On CTC, Cam really helped to be the connection between CTC and the senior class.”

Friedman’s interest began in third grade. “When I was eight, my parents noticed how fascinated I was in computers and how they worked, and sent me to a camp,” Friedman said, “and since then I’ve attended over five other courses and become exposed to various programming environments.”

In the past, Friedman attended the University of Chicago Summer Digital Media Academy, which furthered his understanding regarding coding languages.

Ten years later, Friedman’s interest in computers has not disappeared.  In his free time, he can often be found messing around with different coding programs. Friedman said, “The coolest part of coding is watching a line transform into a circle, a symbol begin to move, and generally the progress you can make through learning.”

Friedman believes that coding isn’t something people should be afraid of, and he hopes “that the ideology of design thinking and coding being fun becomes more prominent.”

Friedman has started over twenty-five projects, in his estimation. “Although at times coding can be frustrating,” he said, “even if I don’t get to the end of a project, it’s fun to challenge myself and see what I can do.  At school I’ve been able to use coding in many things, particularly presentations and robotics.”

Looking to the future, Friedman believes that the use of coding and computer sciences is going to be necessary. He said, “I think that being comfortable working with this form of technology is going to be key.”

As for his studies in college? “Computer programming and the computer sciences are definitely some things I’m considering,” Friedman said, “but I’m still trying to figure everything out.”