Coding Clubs

Bits and bytes of 2023!

As we code our way through the final moments of 2023, members of the Code Club team take a byte-sized trip down memory lane and share their personal highlights from the year.

The Code Club team wearing silly Christmas hats.

Young people’s voices

Tamasin, Head of Code Club, has loved exploring the impact that being a member of a club has on young people.

“This year we’ve talked to lots of leaders and their club members about their experiences, and launched a research project to find out more about the impact of coming to Code Club. I’ve been blown away by how reflective our young members are and how much they value belonging to a group of like-minded people.

I am so grateful to all our club leaders for providing these experiences that are helping young people to develop a mindset of confidence and enthusiasm for digital technologies.”

Coming together in Cambridge 

Sarah, Code Club Community Manager, reflects on the success of our first-ever Clubs Conference, hosted in Cambridgeshire:

“One of our largest and most exciting events this year took place in March, when 140 volunteers and educators involved in Code Club and CoderDojo came together to learn, create, and connect at the first-ever Clubs Conference in Cambridge!

It was such a pleasure to meet so many members of the community in person. I left the conference completely inspired by their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm – I can’t wait for the next one!”

The back of a person wearing a T-shirt with a Code Club logo talking to a blonde haired lady.

Community collaboration

Zoe, Programme Coordinator, loves how you always brighten her day. Your openness to answer her questions and share ideas on supporting the next generation of digital makers makes her job a joy! This is what Zoe has taken from the year:

“This year, our Code Club community has shone brightly. We’ve had great moments like chatting with you for our micro-interview blog series, hanging out at our ‘Coffee and conversation’ online meetups, and teaming up to improve our progress charts and resources.

You’re a friendly bunch, and it’s genuinely delightful to hear your stories and celebrate your wins. Thanks for always being open to this and for playing a big part in inspiring future Code Club educators. And don’t worry, I have plans for more stickers in 2024!”

Global coding community

Our global partner network has had an amazing year of growth. Izzy, Global Programme Coordinator, shines a spotlight on some achievements:  

“We welcomed twelve new organisations from eleven countries to our Code Club partner network! From Peru to Nigeria and from Burundi to the Philippines, we’re excited to be working with our new partners to bring Code Club to even more young people around the world.

We also took the opportunity to host a meetup for our partners on the African continent. Ten organisations joined us in Cape Town to share their experiences, learn from each other, and make connections, followed by a chance to attend Coolest Projects South Africa 2023, which the team thoroughly enjoyed!” 

Attendees sanding in a group having their photo taken

Launching new projects 

Pete, Learning Manager on the Raspberry Pi Projects Site, shares his favourite project from 2023:

“The team have done some fantastic work to simplify the language in our projects to make them more accessible and to transition the Python and web paths to use the new Raspberry Pi Code Editor.

If I had to pick a favourite project though, it has to be our ‘Sound level meter’ project in our Intro to micro:bit path. I love the way this project links with the path theme of wellbeing, allowing young people to consider the way sound levels can affect them and others..

I also set up my first Code Club this year AND LOVE IT!”

A laptop and two people holding a micro:bit

Learning together

It’s been a year of workshops at Code Club. Darren, Programme Coordinator (Ireland), reflects on our training offer:

“In 2023, we revamped our community training. Incorporating community feedback, I restructured workshops into two one-hour sessions focusing on programming languages such as Scratch, HTML & CSS, Python, artificial intelligence (AI), and micro:bit. Our goal is to provide accessible learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of where people are on their Code Club journey.

In total, we have run an impressive 41 workshops, which have been attended by 1187 individuals. Personally, meeting everyone at the workshops has been a highlight of my year. I hope I helped everyone gain new skills and confidence that they can take back to their Code Clubs.”

Here’s to another year of coding triumphs, shared learning, and creating vibrant and inspiring spaces for young people to code and grow in. See you all in 2024!

Micro-interview with Code Club alumni, Oliver

In our micro-interview blog series, we’re chatting to educators and young coding enthusiasts to hear about their Code Club experience.

When we received a message from 17-year-old Oliver, asking about the possibility of obtaining a Code Club lanyard to serve as a reminder of his experiences at Code Club, we knew we needed to find out more!

So we asked Oliver to tell us about his time at a Code Club in Dursley Library, Gloucestershire, which fueled his passion for computer science, leading him to study it at both GCSE and A level. Here’s what he said…

What inspired you to join Code Club?

I’ve always been fascinated by computers, but my primary school (like many) had a very limited ICT offering. I wanted to take a step on from Scratch, so joining Code Club was a natural choice for me!

So, when I was 8, I attended Code Club at Dursley Library. Among the local clubs my mum discovered, Code Club was by far the best — the resources were really well planned and helped to build up your coding skills.

How did participating in Code Club influence your interest in computer science?

Code Club at Dursley Library shaped my interest in computer science. The engaging activities and the guidance of the sixth formers running the club fuelled my passion for the subject. Every week we learnt a new skill and combined it all into a short Python game. The sessions were really fun, and I still sit down some weekends and just play around with Python!

What skills did you gain from Code Club that benefit your current studies?

The experience of coding helped, as coming into secondary school I already had some knowledge of Python. As well as this, I built a small Python script that colour-codes my virtual timetable, which I still find incredibly helpful!

Away from computer science, my existing knowledge of Python helped enormously when learning algebra, as I could apply my understanding of variables to maths! Don’t all laugh at once!

How has Code Club influenced your career direction?

I think Code Club had a huge impact! As soon as I joined my secondary school, I knew that I enjoyed programming and that I wanted to study computer science for GCSE. I attended activities, went to workshops, and even managed to go on a school trip to Silicon Valley. All of this got me excited for the future, and my experiences in Code Club played a pivotal role in shaping my career direction and is a key factor in why I now study computer science for A level.

What makes Code Club a great space for learners to explore computer science?

In my experience, the groups in Code Club have always been small, so there’s loads of time to play around and try new things. One of the key things I took away from it was that it’s OK to play around and get things wrong.

What advice would you give to other children thinking of joining a Code Club?

Go for it! It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore your interest in computers and learn in a fun and engaging way. It can be challenging, but once you get started, there’s nothing more satisfying than having your ideas appear on the screen before you!

Thank you, Oliver, for sharing your experience with us. And yes, we sent him a lanyard!

If you enjoyed this micro-interview, check out our micro-interview with young coder Terrell (9) and learn more about his experiences.

You don’t need any coding experience to run a Code Club, and you can help more young people like Oliver learn vital coding and digital skills for the future. Start a club today!

Micro-interview with Code Club Growth Partner, Solomon

In our new micro-interview blog series, we chat to educators and young coding enthusiasts about their Code Club experience. Enjoy!

Solomon’s organisation, The Unique Foundation, has been a Growth Partner since 2019. He runs a thriving Code Club at his learning and resource centre in The Gambia and describes his club as creative, empowering, and innovative.

The children who attend represent a diverse mix of boys and girls that come from 20 different schools in the area, and Solomon shares why Code Club is an essential part of their learning journey.

The Unique Foundation

Enjoy this micro-interview with Code Club growth partner, Solomon. 

Let’s get started…

What inspired you to become a part of the Code Club network?

We strongly believe in the transformative power of digital skills and their potential to create opportunities for young people. Witnessing the lack of access to computer knowledge among high school graduates in The Gambia and other sub-Saharan African countries inspired us to take action. By bridging the digital skills gap, we aim to empower young individuals to thrive in the 21st century.

How does your Code Club empower young coders to develop a sense of independence?

Our Code Club empowers young coders to develop a strong sense of independence and self-resilience through our focus on developing technical skills. Through hands-on learning and practical experience, our young coders gain confidence in their abilities, foster their problem-solving skills, and develop the resilience necessary to tackle challenges in the rapidly changing digital world. By nurturing their cross-cultural communication and innovation abilities, we empower them to become independent learners.

Why do young people in The Gambia find Code Club appealing?

Code Club is appealing and well-received amongst young people in The Gambia due to its interactive and engaging learning approach, empowering them to be creators and express their creativity through coding. Developing future-ready skills prepares them for opportunities in the digital world, while the sense of community and collaboration fosters peer support. Additionally, Code Club’s international recognition and access to resources enable participants to learn from and collaborate with young coders globally, broadening their horizons.

How can participating in Code Club benefit young people’s future opportunities?

They can expect to develop coding and digital literacy skills that will serve as a strong foundation for higher education in computer science or related fields. Code Club fosters innovation, encouraging young participants to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or contribute to existing companies. Collaboration and networking within the coding community can lead to internships and mentorships, while participation in tech competitions and hackathons provides platforms for recognition and potential job offers. Global exposure opens doors to remote work opportunities and international collaborations, shaping a promising future.

Thank you, Solomon!

If you enjoyed this micro-interview, read our micro-interview with Sue and learn about her experiences of using the Code Club resources and projects in her club, in the UK.

If Solomon’s journey with Code Club has sparked your interest, explore how you can become a Code Club Global Partner!