Smilja Isenberg AddedSunday, January 14, 2018 at 6:12 AM How important is it to take a coding class in High School when your intentions are to become an engineer? My 8th grade daughter has been saying for few years she wants to be an aerospace engineer when she grows up and intends to study engineering in college. Her High School offers both an IT program and Project Lead The Way for engineering with following classes:Intro to Engineering Design Digital Electronics Principles of EngineeringCivil Engineering and Architecture Engineering Design and Development (Capstone) We recently went to an open night for IT and one of the teachers suggested she takes at least coding because it will be extremely helpful for her in college. She is very strong in math and is taking PreAP Geometry as an 8th grader. There really isn't room in her schedule to take both IT and Project Lead The Way but she could make room if she takes a class over summer. We want to reward her with the summers off because at the end of the day she is just starting her teenage years. What is your opinion on the subject? Thank you very much. Related to Aeronautical/Aerospace , Education, Preparation for College Areas of Impact Education Reset Sort By Default Kim de Groh , NASA Glenn Research Center Answered Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 3:33 AM I think your daughter will have plenty of time to take required engineering courses, including any required coding classes, once she is in her undergraduate program. Looking at one set of course requirements for an aerospace engineering program (at MIT) they have a required course called “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming.” This is an introductory course, indicating that they do not assume the students have prior knowledge (although prior knowledge would be helpful – it appears not required). I do advise that your daughter needs to “set herself apart from the rest” so she can get into the school of her choice. But, it sounds like the Project Lead The Way program will be very helpful in showing her desire and dedication to engineering at a young age. I also encourage her to consider spending some of her summer doing a couple short term shadowing experiences at local engineering or research organizations. Seeing what various types of engineering are like, and networking, is very important. Good luck to her!