Obama promotes computer science with middle schoolers

President Obama had a quick visit Monday with New Jersey middle school students who visited the White House to promote expanded computer science courses.

The students from Newark, N.J., participated in an "Hour of Code" event -- learning how to create programming codes -- as part of Computer Science Education Week.

"We're starting too late with regards to making sure that our young people know not only how to play video games, but also create a video game," Obama said.

The president said it's particularly important for girls to get involved in computer science, saying they are under-represented in the sciences

Donning an Hour of Code baseball cap at one point, Obama said that "one of the great things about America is that we invent stuff and make stuff, not just use it."

The White House also announced Monday that seven of the nation's largest school districts are joining more than 50 others to start offering introductory computer science courses.The districts encompass New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Houston and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.