Tech week Dallas kicked off Monday with a record-setting performance.

Capital One set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest programming lesson Monday at a “Monster Coding Jam” session attended by 724 people, including 560 Dallas ISD students from NAF academies, and 164 volunteers.

[Photo Courtesy Capital One]

Mark Cauwels of Capital One. [Photo Courtesy Capital One]

“Capital One created the C1 Coders curriculum, leveraging MIT’s App Inventor 2, to help local students understand and pursue their interests in STEM fields during a critical period in their education,” Mark Cauwels, vice president, Technology, Financial Services, Capital One, said in a release.

“We’re thankful for all of the students and volunteers that came out today to help us set the new Guinness World Records title and show the world that programming and app development can be fun and rewarding.”

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The previous record for a programming class was 712 participants, organized by the Lithuanian MEP Antanas Guoga, on Sept. 9, in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The students learned the basics of app creation and developed their own “Monster Mash” gaming app, Capital One said.

Capital One associates and other from around DFW volunteered at the event to give students hands-on experience with software development and problem solving, and to expose them to opportunities in the technology field.

Mario Armstrong, Emmy-winning radio and TV host, emceed the event.

Young coders get instruction at the Monster Coding Jam. [Photo Courtesy Capital One]

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