Hi, I'm Eppo!

…on a mission to inspire and empower people with tech. In random order; Husband, dad, software developer, architect, engineer(ing manager), maker, mentor. All about digital craftsmanship. Love to teach, live to learn...

About Me

What (not) to expect. What I have done in the past, what I am currently doing and what I would like to do in the (near) future. How to contact me and find my resources on the interwebs.

Blog

Sharing my knowledge I blog about code, the stuff I make, the stuff I learn, the stuff I teach kids and of course the occasional sparkly butterfly rainbow unicorn kitten. The blog is currently offline but will be updated on a double rod pendulum interval.

Coding for Kids

I run an initiative that teaches kids the awesome superpower that is programming. Starting age 6 they can learn actual coding. Tracks range from short 60 minute workshops to multi session app and robot building courses.

About me

Technologist, Agilist, Engineering Manager

As long as I can remember I've been involved with technology. Wrote my first BASIC code on the family's home computer when I was 9 years old. At about the same age I got involved in electronics using the famous Science Fair 150-in-1 Electronic Project Kit. It was then when I first learned that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

Having studied electronics and computer science I started my career with Apple Computer tech in the graphic design and publishing industry. From there I moved on to the Microsoft stack when I joined a large financial. After a lengthy stint I felt the need to scratch my Agile itch and joined a truly customer obsessed retail company that has “start-up like” organizational dynamics at scale. Equally important; they offered a very different tech stack forcing me out of my comfort zone adopting a more agnostic view. After two amazing years in retail I moved to industrial Hi Tech pushing semi-conductor lithography limits at a sub-atomic scale.

I've been involved in the actual electronics and the operation of cross platform infrastructures but the past 20 years has been mainly about software development. The 10 most recent years have been about engeneering management and developing the most valuable part of IT; people! To make sure I keep myself well occupied I run my own consulting initiative Flow Finesse™ and teach kids how to code.

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein

Want to reach out to me or have a look at some of my resources on the web? Have a look over here; Click!

-Eppo van der Plas

Coding for Kids

Bless your youngsters with the awesome superpower that is programming!

Computers are everywhere and the possibilities are virtually limitless. For the time being however, you have to tell computers pretty specifically what you want them to do. To inspire tommorow's generation I offer several plans which introduce kids ages 6 to 16 to the amazing world of coding. They learn to recognize patterns and how to solve problems. Most importantly they learn that solving a problem usually means making a couple of mistakes and that making these mistakes is a good thing.

Plans range from short 60-ish minute workshops to multi-session tracks. For groups with kids age 10+ we offer a custom option in which we will build an actual app. Please refer to the table below for more info. If you have any additional questions and/or need some more info please click here.

Single Workshop

CODING IS SUPER FUN

6..16yo1..30kids60..75min

After a short intro, we will immediately dive into the cool stuff and start coding. Using a visual programming language and scenarios such as Minecraft, Disney's Frozen or Star Wars we make sure that the learning experience is super fun and kids are inspired to dive into more coding themselves.

You decide the costs. :-) Please contact me regarding the when and where and I'll send you a blank Invoice. After the workshop you determine what would be an appropriate compensation.

Multi Session

CODING IS A SUPERPOWER

6..16yo1..30kids4..6 * 60..120min

All about getting a deeper understanding of what it takes to get a computer to do the things you want it to do. Our newly acquired superpower will be used to solve actual problems. We use Python for the older kids and can include the construction and programming of LEGO robots for all ages.

Costs depend on a number of factors. Please contact me about what you would like to achieve and we'll discuss the different tracks and options.

Project X

BUILD A REAL LIFE APP

10..16yo1..8kids8..12 * 120min

The team will build a solution for a group defined -or- assigned problem. The team will collaborate on design, coding and testing. A fully functional app or website will be delivered and the end result will be demoed in a final presentation. Please allow 8 to 12 weeks for this track to complete.

Costs depend on a number of factors. Please contact me about what you would like to achieve and we'll discuss the different tracks and options.

Pricing & Requisites

Costs are all-in, there are no additional licenses to be aquired, there is no vendor lock-in, and there is no proprietary hardware to be bought.

For the workshop the only requirement is "computers with a fairly recent webbrowser and internet access". Typically I'll go for pair programming so two kids share a computer. Requisites for the Multi Session and Project X plan depend on your requirements. Please contact me to discuss further details.

Contact & Resources

I would love to hear from you and am usually pretty easy to get hold of. There's plenty of channels so pick your favorite. Please refer to the outline below of what I will and probably will not respond to.

What I'll definitely respond to

You run a class, school, community (anything goes :-)) and want to bless your kids with the superpower that is programming.
You want someone to talk about the importance and significance of managing and developing digital craftsmanship and the recruiting of (IT) talent.

What I won't respond to

Please don't try to sell me your unique product -and/or- business opportunity. I won't buy it. Period.

Got anything in between?

Just try me, always open to have a chat. :-)

Channels

Resources