Black Boys Code Durham - Python Unlocked

Workshop Overview

Building on the skills developed in September and October, students will take another exciting step in their technology journey, moving from building websites and exploring datasets to designing engaging webpages and transforming data into meaningful visual stories.

Beginner students will bring their personal websites to life using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to introduce colours, fonts, backgrounds, borders, and spacing. Advanced students will explore data visualization and storytelling, using Python, Google Colab, and charts to identify patterns, communicate findings, and support their real-world AI project ideas.

Students will also explore how thoughtful design and responsible data presentation influence the way people understand information. Beginners will focus on creating attractive, readable websites, while advanced learners will discover how to present evidence clearly and avoid misleading data visualizations.

Whether returning from previous workshops or joining us for the first time, students will have the opportunity to code, design, visualize, analyze, and create.

Beginner Track - CSS Styling Basics

Beginner students will take their personal websites beyond basic HTML and discover how CSS transforms a simple webpage into an attractive, personalized website.

Using HTML, CSS, and EduBlocks, students will style headings, paragraphs, backgrounds, and sections while exploring colours, fonts, borders, and spacing. They will learn how CSS selectors, properties, and values work together to control webpage appearance.

Through hands-on activities, students will choose personal design themes, improve readability, and identify and fix common CSS errors.

Beginner Track Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, students will be able to:

• Understand how CSS works with HTML using selectors, properties, and values.
• Apply colours, fonts, backgrounds, borders, and spacing to style webpages.
• Create a consistent, personalized design theme that improves readability.
• Test, identify, and fix common CSS errors while explaining their design choices.

Every student will leave with a more visually appealing version of their personal website, preparing them for future workshops on webpage layout and design.

Advanced Track - Data Visualization & Storytelling

Advanced students will move from exploring datasets to discovering how data visualization helps communicate patterns, evidence, and real-world insights.

Using Python, Google Colab, and Matplotlib, students will transform datasets into charts, including bar charts, line charts, and scatter plots. They will learn how to select appropriate charts, add clear titles and labels, and interpret meaningful patterns.

Students will also use the Claim + Evidence + Context approach to communicate their findings, identify misleading visualizations, and connect their charts to the real-world problems explored in their AI Idea Journals.

Advanced Track Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, students will be able to:

• Identify and select appropriate chart types to communicate data patterns.
• Use Python and Google Colab to create clearly labelled data visualizations.
• Interpret charts and communicate findings using Claim + Evidence + Context.
• Evaluate visualizations for accuracy and fairness while connecting findings to their AI projects.

November moves the Advanced Track from exploring data to communicating evidence, preparing students for future workshops in machine learning and AI project development.

Take-Home Assignment

Students will receive a Take-Home Assignment to reinforce the skills introduced during the workshop.

Beginner students will continue improving their personal websites using CSS colours, fonts, and spacing. Advanced students will create or improve data visualizations, identify key findings, and develop short data stories to support their AI projects.

Assignments will be submitted through the students' Moodle accounts before the next workshop.

Materials Provided FREE

Black Boys Code will provide all workshop learning materials and structured instruction FREE of charge, including:

• Coding and project activities
• Student workbooks and guided exercises
• HTML, CSS, and web design resources
• Python and data visualization activities
• AI Idea Journal and project-planning resources
• Instructor support throughout the workshop

No previous coding experience or personal equipment is required.

Register Now, Space Is Limited!

If you’re unsure who your Chapter Leader is, please contact eventsupport@blackboyscode.com to get connected and learn how you can support your local team.