Programming Essentials Workshops
Our workshops offer extra support for students working through Launch School’s prep courses. Taught live by a dedicated team of presenters, they aim to provide a more interactive experience for beginner programmers. See below for the latest workshops available
Upcoming Workshops
Subject
Workshop
Date
Time
Presenter
Learn the Interface required to program at Launch School: This workshop aims to remove beginner concerns and teaches you command line in an easy-to-understand format. You’ll learn key commands and how to write basic prompts to confidently navigate and access your files for programming.
A system for mastering course material: This workshop will show you a tried and tested system for how to study consistently at Launch School. With a focus on mastery, you’ll learn specific study habits and techniques to help you finish course material.
In week 1 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what Python is, different data types (such as strings, integers, floats, lists and dictionaries), the differences between primitive and non-primitive data types and what variables are and how they are used.
Tackle 3 common issues that hinder your learning progress: In this workshop you’ll learn proven strategies for dealing with 3 common problems all Launch School students face: overwhelm, procrastination and balancing work, life and study.
Concepts to help you build web-based applications: This workshop aims to give new programmers a comprehensive overview of how the internet works, so they can gain a running start understanding how their browser-based applications operate under the hood.
In week 2 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what a function is, and how we can define and invoke them, arguments and parameters and the difference between them, what functions return and variable scoping rules: where variables are accessible.
Battle-tested strategies to retain programming concepts: In this workshop you’ll learn several battle-tested methods you can apply straight away to your notes along with introducing you to several note taking tools you can use to help you retain programming concepts.
Learn the building blocks to build web pages from scratch: In this workshop you will learn the structure and main elements used to build a web page, along with quizzes and step-by-step coding examples to help you retain HTML concepts.
In week 3 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what flow control is, using comparison and logical operators, `if` and `match/case` statements to control the path of execution and Iterating using loops.
5 skills you’ll need to succeed as a Software Engineer: In this workshop you’ll learn exactly what soft skills are, why they are crucial to both your programming studies and career, and strategies you can use to build them while working through Launch School’s Prep and Core Curriculum.
How to use style sheets to enhance your web pages & apps: In this workshop you will learn the basic rules and CSS syntax to style your HTML documents, along with quizzes and step-by-step coding examples to help you retain CSS concepts.
In week 4 of the Python workshop series, we explore: different types of collections, including lists, dictionaries and sets, accessing elements using indexing and keys, operators and methods that can be used on collections and iterating over collections.
Future-proof your career by learning to write readable code: Being able to write clear code is a habit you can never start too early, and in this workshop you will learn the best practices of this skill, and why it is so important when working with other software engineers.
Learn the science behind a mastery-based study approach: In this workshop you’ll learn the importance of mastering course material by comparing and contrasting 2 study systems, and analyze the effectiveness of several popular study techniques using neuroscience.
In week 5 of the Python workshop series, we explore: variables as pointers and what this means in Python, what mutability means in relation to collections, equality vs. identity and shallow copies vs. deep copies.
In this special Ask Me Anything session, we will have an Insightful discussion on the latest 2023 Capstone Salaries and job market informed by Launch School's founder Chris Lee's experiences. This is an engaging and interactive Q&A session that allows you to ask Chris questions related to Launch School, Salaries and the current job market.
In week 6 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what the PEDAC process is, working through a small problem together, debugging using a step-by-step approach to fixing bugs in your code.
Subject
Workshop
Date / Time
Presenter
Learn the Interface required to program at Launch School: This workshop aims to remove beginner concerns and teaches you command line in an easy-to-understand format. You’ll learn key commands and how to write basic prompts to confidently navigate and access your files for programming.
A system for mastering course material: This workshop will show you a tried and tested system for how to study consistently at Launch School. With a focus on mastery, you’ll learn specific study habits and techniques to help you finish course material.
In week 1 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what Python is, different data types (such as strings, integers, floats, lists and dictionaries), the differences between primitive and non-primitive data types and what variables are and how they are used.
Tackle 3 common issues that hinder your learning progress: In this workshop you’ll learn proven strategies for dealing with 3 common problems all Launch School students face: overwhelm, procrastination and balancing work, life and study.
Concepts to help you build web-based applications: This workshop aims to give new programmers a comprehensive overview of how the internet works, so they can gain a running start understanding how their browser-based applications operate under the hood.
In week 2 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what a function is, and how we can define and invoke them, arguments and parameters and the difference between them, what functions return and variable scoping rules: where variables are accessible.
Battle-tested strategies to retain programming concepts: In this workshop you’ll learn several battle-tested methods you can apply straight away to your notes along with introducing you to several note taking tools you can use to help you retain programming concepts.
Learn the building blocks to build web pages from scratch: In this workshop you will learn the structure and main elements used to build a web page, along with quizzes and step-by-step coding examples to help you retain HTML concepts.
In week 3 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what flow control is, using comparison and logical operators, `if` and `match/case` statements to control the path of execution and Iterating using loops.
5 skills you’ll need to succeed as a Software Engineer: In this workshop you’ll learn exactly what soft skills are, why they are crucial to both your programming studies and career, and strategies you can use to build them while working through Launch School’s Prep and Core Curriculum.
How to use style sheets to enhance your web pages & apps: In this workshop you will learn the basic rules and CSS syntax to style your HTML documents, along with quizzes and step-by-step coding examples to help you retain CSS concepts.
In week 4 of the Python workshop series, we explore: different types of collections, including lists, dictionaries and sets, accessing elements using indexing and keys, operators and methods that can be used on collections and iterating over collections.
Future-proof your career by learning to write readable code: Being able to write clear code is a habit you can never start too early, and in this workshop you will learn the best practices of this skill, and why it is so important when working with other software engineers.
Learn the science behind a mastery-based study approach: In this workshop you’ll learn the importance of mastering course material by comparing and contrasting 2 study systems, and analyze the effectiveness of several popular study techniques using neuroscience.
In week 5 of the Python workshop series, we explore: variables as pointers and what this means in Python, what mutability means in relation to collections, equality vs. identity and shallow copies vs. deep copies.
In this special Ask Me Anything session, we will have an Insightful discussion on the latest 2023 Capstone Salaries and job market informed by Launch School's founder Chris Lee's experiences. This is an engaging and interactive Q&A session that allows you to ask Chris questions related to Launch School, Salaries and the current job market.
In week 6 of the Python workshop series, we explore: what the PEDAC process is, working through a small problem together, debugging using a step-by-step approach to fixing bugs in your code.
How Our Workshops Help You Succeed
Understand the Launch School prep course topics more deeply as the basics are explored live
A dedicated team of presenters make learning to program more fun and interactive
You don’t have be a Launch School student to learn some of the most essential programming skills
No lock-in obligations. Workshops are standalone sessions. Only sign up for topics you're interested in.
Workshops FAQs
Programming Essentials Workshops are a set of free sessions suitable for beginners looking to gain fundamental skills in programming. While they are taught live and complement the Launch School Prep courses, they are open to anyone learning to code, whether they are at Launch School or not.
Workshops are perfect for beginner programmers or those requiring a refresher in fundamentals. They are great for people going through Launch School Prep Courses but these workshops are designed to be useful for anyone in their learning journey to becoming software engineers.
Launch School Study Sessions are primarily for Launch School Students who have commenced the Core Curriculum and are preparing for assessments. Programming Essentials Workshops are more beginner-friendly and can be taken at any time
Attendees have said it’s helped them pick up specifics they’ve missed in the prep courses and kept them on track. They’re very helpful for review and supplemental learning, and give you a good idea of what to expect from Launch School’s Core Curriculum. Here’s what some of the students had to say after attending:
- “The tips and techniques for studying were super helpful. They also made me realize where I’m definitely not being effective.”
- “Focused and helpful, everything needed and everything applies even before paying $200/mo.”
- “Good, organized structure and live quizzes with solution walkthrough”
- “Great intro webinar! Loved the overview of studying, helped me know I’m on the right track!”
- “Very timely! It gave me so much information on how to really progress or study in LS and how to better my study habits.”
You will be able to understand Launch School prep course topics more deeply as the presenter will explore topics in depth. You will also be quizzed on topics live and be able to ask topic-specific questions
While it is not mandatory you attend a workshop, it is highly recommended. Workshops enhance the learning experience and give you more of an idea if programming is right for you
All Programming Essentials Workshops are completely free to signup to and attend
Because we are constantly updating our workshops, not all of them are available as recordings. We do however have a collection of specific workshops available on our youtube channel.