Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Coding Journeys from Hungary
Publication date: February 6, 2025
Getting Involved in EU Code Week
Coding has long been seen as a field dominated by men and IT professionals. However, for Éva Tóth, an ESP and ICT Projectwork educator in vocational education and training (VET), coding is a skill that should be accessible to everyone. Her journey with EU Code Week began with a mission: to break down gender stereotypes and make coding an inclusive activity for all students, regardless of their background or field of study.
Éva Tóth
As a female educator, she observed how intimidating coding seemed to students, particularly to non-IT learners and girls. Determined to change this, she introduced activities that demonstrated how coding is already embedded in daily life. Whether cooking, baking, or solving everyday problems, people naturally follow algorithms, debug processes, and develop solutions; Essentially coding without even realizing it.
Her passion for promoting coding extended beyond her classroom. As an eTwinning ambassador, she actively integrated the CodeWeek4All challenge into her projects, encouraging international partners to join even if they had never heard of EU Code Week before. Through creative activities like painting pixel art and coding poems, she made coding approachable, engaging, and enjoyable. Since 2019, she has been honored to serve as a leading teacher for Hungary, continuously working to inspire educators and students alike.
The Impact of EU Code Week
EU Code Week plays a vital role in promoting digital literacy, a skill that is indispensable in today’s technology-driven world. Through hands-on experiences, students develop logical thinking and problem-solving abilities, while educators find new ways to innovate their teaching methods. Coding is no longer limited to IT classes—it can enhance learning in any subject.
For Eva, participating in EU Code Week has been a transformative experience, both professionally and personally. Her school’s thematic coding week has gained recognition nationally and internationally, reinforcing the value of creative and interdisciplinary coding education. She frequently conducts workshops and training sessions across Europe, always incorporating EU Code Week into her content. In 2023, attending the EU Code Week summer school in Brussels expanded her skills and network, allowing her to connect with fellow educators who share her vision of making coding an inclusive and engaging subject.
Beyond professional growth, EU Code Week has also enriched her personal life. Collaborating with like-minded educators has led to lifelong friendships, proving that coding is not just about technology—it’s about building a supportive community.
Engaging Students with Creative Coding Activities
One of the most memorable initiatives Eva has led is #petrikcodeweek, a now-iconic tradition at her institution. Each year, she and her colleagues design new themes to ensure the event remains fresh, exciting, and inclusive for all students, particularly non-IT learners and girls.
Recent themes, such as “The Lost City of Code“ and “CodeWeek of Discoveries,” transformed coding into an adventure. Students formed teams to tackle algorithmic challenges through storytelling, solving progressively complex problems in daily 60-90 minute sessions. These activities fostered teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills, making coding a thrilling experience rather than an intimidating one.
In October 2024, Éva and her team extended their effo rts beyond the classroom, involving parents and grandparents in a unique intergenerational workshop titled “Stop or My Mom Will Code!”. Participants faced real-life coding challenges, such as using AI to suggest meals based on available ingredients and programming micro:bits to create personalized cookie theft alarms. These activities proved that coding is truly for everyone—regardless of age or prior knowledge. Witnessing different generations collaborate and discover the relevance of coding in everyday life was an incredibly rewarding experience.
Encouraging Educators to Join EU Code Week
Eva encourages educators to get involved in EU Code Week as a way to introduce students to coding in a fun and accessible manner. Coding is not just for IT specialists—it is a creative and valuable skill applicable across various fields. When students experience the joy of problem-solving and creating something from scratch, they gain confidence and a sense of achievement.
For teachers hesitant about where to start, Eva suggests beginning with simple, unplugged activities. Platforms like code.org offer user-friendly introductions to coding, and even fun icebreaker activities, such as the CodeWeek dance, can highlight how coding is already a part of everyday life. Once students gain confidence, educators can gradually introduce more complex projects, ensuring that coding remains a challenge to enjoy, rather than a hurdle to fear.
By making coding inclusive, creative, and engaging, EU Code Week continues to inspire students and teachers across Europe. Eva’s journey is a testament to how one passionate educator can break down barriers and open new doors for students, proving that coding is not just about technology; It’s about opportunity, collaboration, and innovation.
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