Introduction to Coding

Executive Summary The Clongorey meet and code is a community-based coding club. The main aim is to provide a safe, fun and affordable space for both children and youths within our community. There are a number of children and youths in our community who do not take part in community activities. Whether this is due to affordability, diversity, self-esteem or racism, these individuals are isolating and potentially subjecting themselves to an unsafe environment. Our mission is to lift these boundaries, creating a safe environment for both children and youths where they can meet, learn and grow within our community. The main aim is to encourage all like-minded individuals to join with their neighbours and start to interact with one another while introducing them to the fundamentals of computing. Objectives • Provide a safe, fun and affordable space for learning and creativity • sparking the interest and fun in programming for all genders • Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Encourage teamwork and collaboration through group projects Program Structure • Weekly Sessions: 2-hour sessions once weekly • Duration: 6-8-week hiatus • Curriculum: Scratch, Python, C++, Java, Web Development (HTML/CSS) • Activities: Interactive lessons, hands-on projects and coding challenges using Minecraft and Roblox Target Audience • children and youth between 8 and 24 years of age • we aim to cater to a minimum of 20 children and youths within our community • The groups will be into 3 main categories: o 8 to 10 years o 11 to 15 years o 16 to 24 years Location • Clongorey Community & District Centre This is a not for profit organisation and is based in a rural area outside Newbridge Co Kildare near the bog of Allen. The centre is locally run from volunteers within our community. The club is only recently re-establishing itself and getting various activities up and running for young and old. There is a drive and appetite to get the association back on their feet following a hiatus time during Covid. The Club were very recently hit with two senseless acts of vandalism on both the current and old community centres. There is a multipurpose centre in situ which has recently been connected to high speed Eir fibre. Staffing • Program Coordinator: Oversees the program, manages logistics, and liaises with parents and volunteers • Instructors: Experienced coders or computer science students who can teach and mentor the children • Volunteers: Parents

This event is part of the ongoing Citywise STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs. It aims to introduce students from underserved communities in West Tallaght to exciting STEAM subjects such as coding, robotics, and digital technology. The event will leverage hands-on activities using tools like Scratch, Python, and 3D printing to ignite students’ curiosity and inspire them to consider careers in STEAM. Goals: Equip participants with basic coding and robotics skills. Increase awareness of career opportunities in STEAM fields. Engage students in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. Target Group: This event is targeted at students aged 10-16 from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those from schools with limited access to technology. We aim to address the digital divide by offering access to advanced technology and education that isn't readily available in their local environments. Special Aspects: This workshop stands out because of its focus on practical, project-based learning in a fun, interactive environment, where students can develop digital literacy and gain confidence in their ability to succeed in STEAM fields. We also aim to encourage participation from girls to address the gender imbalance in STEAM careers

The main content of the event will teaching student to create digital stories, games and animations using Scratch. The aim will be to facilitate three x 4 hour sessions with 20 students, aged between 10-12 years to provide them with a basic overview of coding and afford them the opportunity to code their own game. This will also allow teachers/youth leaders the opportunity to learn from the facilitator the basics about coding so that they can facilitate future workshops. The main goals of the event are as follows: Skill Development: Basic Coding Skills: Problem-Solving: Enhance logical thinking and problem-solving skills through coding exercises and challenges. Project-Based Learning: Enable participants to apply their skills in real-world projects, fostering creativity and practical understanding. Confidence Building: Hands-On Experience: Provide opportunities for hands-on practice to build confidence in using coding tools. Collaboration and Communication: Teamwork: Promote teamwork through group projects, pair programming, and collaborative tasks. Communication: Develop the ability to explain coding concepts and solutions clearly, both verbally and in writing. Creativity and Innovation: Creative Projects: Inspire creativity by allowing participants to create their own projects, such as games, websites, or apps. Innovation: Encourage innovative thinking by exploring new technologies and approaches. Diversity and Inclusion: Accessible Learning: Ensure the workshop is accessible to all participants, regardless of background or prior experience. Encouraging Diversity: Promote diversity in tech by encouraging participation from underrepresented groups. Fun and Engagement: Interactive Learning: Use games, puzzles, and interactive tools to make learning enjoyable. We aim to provide students with a Coding experience which they would not otherwise be able to access. We have students in the school who have incredible potential in this area, and we feel this will provide them a wonderful stepping-stone in their journey to learn these skills.