Depends on the background of your programmers / the size and experience of your department. You have to remember that most programmers are learning their first code through FIRST.
- If you have a large programming department (at least 2-3 veteran upperclassmen) and a few minions, you're probably alright picking the one you think is best for the job (which is, IMO, C++). Based on sheer experience, you should be able to create some quality working code as well as teach a bit.
- If it is just one mentor, and little experience among the kids, going with what the mentor knows best is wisest.
- If you have little to no experienced kids, and no programming mentors, ask the AP Computer Science teacher, and program in Java. It's wisest though, to find a permanent programming mentor.
My thoughts:
LabView - an interesting and simplistic programming language. However, I'm on the fence as to whether this is a good introduction to programming, because visual programming is significantly different from regular programming, and you can run out of physical space in your layout (*sigh).
Java - probably one of the best ways to keep the new members learning. It has many practical applications with it's GUI component.
C++ - I see C++ as the best tool for the job, but I'll leave it to the professionals to decide.
Oh, and of course you could be fly like 294 or 709 and code in Python
