Coding for beginners

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