Enjoy our micro-interview blog series, where we chat to educators and young coding enthusiasts and hear about their Code Club experience.
Generación Tec is a Code Club Growth Partner in Peru. In 2019, they started to grow the club network in the capital, Lima, through a project managed by the British Council.
Building a sense of community is an important part of Code Club; this can be done by celebrating young people’s successes and by providing ongoing support to volunteers. Generación Tec shines a light on how they’re doing just this in Peru.
Let’s get started…
Why do you believe it is important to recognise the achievements of young people in Code Clubs?
Since computing education is not part of the Peruvian curriculum, it is important to provide students with spaces to learn and develop computing skills, and more importantly, their computational thinking. Also, it is important to foster STEAM education and the participation of more girls in STEAM careers, and Code Clubs are the perfect space for that.
There is a “diploma culture” in Peru. People are used to receiving certificates and diplomas for their participation and achievement, and they become part of their “Curriculum Vitae”. Parents like to share their kids’ accomplishments, as they are considered a reflection of their “good job” as parents too.
How does Code Club build a sense of community among learners?
By sharing the opportunity with their peers and being able to solve problems together, they create bonds that go beyond the Code Club space. It gives young people the opportunity to share what they have learned with a sense of pride and belonging.
It is important for them to know that there are other young people that share their interests, and to feel they are not the “weird” ones. Sometimes an interest in science and computing in early ages is considered less important than an interest in sports, for example, and is not promoted.
That is why it makes it even more important to provide a fun, safe space to develop their talents.
Can you share how you’re building a community of volunteers for Code Clubs in Lima?
In August, we started with an open call for volunteers, and an information session for school leaders, where we will promote the opening of new Code Clubs.
We have found that the main setback is the lack of confidence of teachers and volunteers, and their fear to “fail” as Code Club leaders. By providing early training and ongoing support, we will address that particular issue and help Code Clubs live longer, healthier, more fun lives.
Thanks Generación Tec, keep up the good work!
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 Generación Tec’s journey with Code Club has sparked your interest, explore how you can become a Code Club Global Partner!
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