Month: August 2016

New Code Club Python Projects!

Over the summer we’ve been busily working away to improve and refresh Code Club’s Python curriculum!

One of the key developments is the use of Trinket, an online environment for writing Python code. We also use Trinket for our HTML & CSS projects, and we think it’s a great tool to use because…

  • There’s no installation of software required – this is great for club leaders
  • Children can code online, and so the environment is available both in and outside of their club.
  • Children can save work anonymously, via a unique url.
  • Children can share their projects with others.

We’ve also created more graphical projects, something that came up through our termly feedback surveys from clubs.

Project examples:

We have nine brand-new projects, two of which are sample projects that are available for anyone to have a go at.

The projects cover key skills such as sequencing, variables, selection, repetition, as well as lists, dictionaries, functions and files. The projects also focus on data, both using open data sets (in the ‘Where is the Space Station?’ project), as well as data that can be collected and analysed by the children themselves (such as in the ‘Popular Pets’ project).

The new projects include:

Turtle Race: In this project, children will first draw a race track, and then program 4 turtles to race each other! This project introduces repetition and random numbers. Take a look at the project via the video below:

Popular Pets: In this project, children will learn to create pie charts and bar graphs from data collect from members of their Code Club. They will learn how to chart data stored in text files.

Where is the Space Station?: Children will make use of NASA’s open International Space Station data to find out its position, and the time it next passes over their location. They will also learn how to plot this data onto a world map.

Screen Shot 2016-08-25 at 14.28.25

Have a go at the projects:

The new Python projects can be found here. We’d love to hear what you think about the projects, so do get in touch:

Don’t worry if you’re in the middle of working through our ‘old’ projects – they can still be found in our archives, at https://codeclubprojects.org/en-GB/archived/#python.

micro:bit applications are now open!

It is with much excitement that we can now announce that active UK Code Clubs can begin applying for their BBC micro:bits from today!

The micro:bit, measuring just 4cm by 5cm, is a micro controller which children can use to code and create anything they set their minds to. It’s intended as a starter device to give children a basic introduction to physical computing and tinkering.

How to qualify for our micro:bit offer:

We want to make sure that every active club in the UK who wants a micro:bit can get some. Therefore, please be aware of the following points before applying for micro:bits:

micro-bit instructions

microbit-smileHow the application process works:

The applications open on Wednesday 17 August at 12:00pm, but you don’t need to rush. You have until 12:00pm on  Friday 16 September to apply. The devices will be sent out after the application deadline.

1) Log in to the Code Club website to find your micro:bit voucher code. You can find this in the same place as you find your Club ID and PIN .

2) Click the ‘apply for micro:bits’ button, which will take you to the website of Pimoroni (who are helping us send the devices). You will enter your voucher code and pay postage and packaging there.

3) We would like you to read the full details of the offer here, please make sure you have done so before you apply.

Hints and Tips

Please remember that you will only receive one voucher code per active Code Club, so if you have multiple volunteers at your club, you’ll need to decide who is going to apply for the micro:bits. The package will be delivered after 20 September, so think about what the best delivery address will be.

Don’t worry, even though we are asking you to apply, we have enough to go round! Each active UK club (and remember your club had to be active on 24 June 2016 to qualify) that applies is guaranteed to receive a minimum of four micro:bits. Once the applications are in, we will assess demand and if we can send you a few more, we will!

Finally, we’ve made some Code Club projects for the micro:bit for you to use to get started. Happy coding!

If you have any questions about applying for micro:bits, you can drop us a line at support@codeclub.org.uk or check out our FAQs.

Celebrate the Olympics this summer with our new Scratch Projects

This summer was all about the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and to celebrate, we have created a selection of awesome new Scratch projects!

We’ve released three new sporty projects over on our projects site. The first of these is Synchronised Swimming, where you’ll learn how to code a synchronised swimming routine for Scratch the cat, by using loops and creating clones. This project will be available on our site for all users to access until the end of October 2016.

syncronised swimming

There’s also an Archery project, where you must overcome an archer’s shaky arm to shoot arrows as close to the bullseye as you can, and Sprint!, which uses a 3D perspective to make the player feel as though they’re running towards a finish line. This project can even be coded to work with a homemade running mat! These two projects are only available to registered Code Clubs, and require an ID and PIN to access.

Over on the Raspberry Pi Foundation website, there are also two more Scratch Olympic-themed resources available, the Olympic Weightlifter and Olympics Hurdles projects.

Try your hand at these great resources, which we hope will help keep Code Clubbers busy over the summer!

Please do get in touch to tell us what you think of the projects… We would love to find out how you got on!