But not all kids can or want to jump straight into these sort of environments. For them, there are plenty of games around that will teach the basics of programming in a fun and accessible way.

In Ian Chow-Miller’s classroom at Mason Middle School, students learn to code robots with bricks many of them have seen before.

The bell rang, and students started streaming into the classroom in twos and threes. Chatter filled the room as one booming voice shouted directions. Around 60 students gathered for teacher Ian ...