CodeHS Web Design Insider: CSS Art, HTML External Links, and More

😊 Emoji Fun in HTML & CSS
Are your Web Design students looking to add more personality to their projects? Explore using emojis and creating their own designs with CSS.
Students can include emojis in their HTML programs by using Unicode or HTML entity codes rather than pasting the emoji directly. This help page, Using Emojis in CodeHS, explains how to use these codes and includes examples students can try in their programs.
Some Emojis to Try

For a more creative challenge, students can also dive into CSS Art. This tutorial introduces basic CSS techniques for building shapes, applying color, and adding simple animations. Students will create their own emoji-style designs and experiment with customizing their work.

Both resources are great ways for students to practice HTML and CSS while building fun, visual projects.
🔗 Using External Links in HTML Programs
If your Web Design students are using external links in their HTML programs, you may notice those links don’t always work as expected within the CodeHS editor.
The editor runs HTML files in an iframe, which some external websites block for security reasons. To properly test and navigate to external sites, students will need to open their program in a new browser tab. They can do this by clicking the Pop Out icon next to the address bar in the output window.
This help page, Using External Links in HTML Programs, provides a quick explanation and step-by-step guidance. It’s a great resource to share with students when they’re troubleshooting link behavior in their projects.
⚙️ PD Teaching Cohorts
CodeHS is offering year-long professional learning cohorts for the 2026–27 school year, supporting educators with guided learning, practical strategies, and a collaborative community. Educators can join cohorts focused on
💸 Student Scholarship Application
Calling All High School Seniors - Now Accepting Applications!
CodeHS is proud to invite all eligible students to apply for the CodeHS Scholarship! We will award $1,000 grants to 10 students who plan to study computer science and related fields at the post-secondary level.
Review the scholarship eligibility requirements and learn how your students can apply today. All applications are due by May 20th, 2026 @ 11:59 PM CT.
💬 Stay Connected
Chat with fellow teachers in the CodeHS Facebook Group
Explore the CodeHS Web Design Hub
- The CodeHS Team