Raspberry Pi

Clwb Codio Treganna visits the Sony UK Technology Centre

Mae Clwb Codio yn golygu llawer mwy na dim ond dysgu sut i raglennu. Mae ein clybiau’n cynnig sgiliau gwerthfawr i godwyr ifanc, gan gynnwys sut i ddatrys problemau, cyfathrebu a meithrin gwydnwch personol a fydd yn fuddiol iddyn nhw drwy gydol eu bywydau.

Gwelsom yr ysbrydoliaeth y gall y profiadau hyn gynnig pan aeth 21 o blant brwdfrydig o Glwb Codio Treganna, Caerdydd ar daith i Ganolfan Dechnoleg Sony UK ym Mhencoed!

Clwb Codio Treganna

Canolfan Dechnoleg Sony UK (TEC), tua 20 munud y tu allan i Gaerdydd, yw lle mae cyfrifiaduron Raspberry Pi yn cael eu cynhyrchu. Dechreuodd Sony First gynhyrchu cyfrifiaduron Raspberry Pi yn ôl yn 2012, gan greu tua 10,000 o unedau’r flwyddyn. Maen nhw nawr yn cynhyrchu un Raspberry Pi bob 3.1 eiliad!

Yn ogystal â chreu’r caledwedd, mae Sony UK TEC hefyd yn cynnal ymweliadau addysgol ar gyfer ysgolion cynradd i ysbrydoli eu dysgwyr i godio. Nod y teithiau a’r gweithdai yw ennyn diddordeb mewn technoleg a gweithgynhyrchu, a helpu i ddatblygu dealltwriaeth dechnolegol arloeswyr y dyfodol.

Mynychodd Clwb Codio Treganna y rhaglen ‘Learn 2 Code’, a oedd yn para diwrnod llawn ac yn cynnwys taith o gwmpas llawr y ffatri waith, a gweithdy codio yn seiliedig ar brosiectau’r Raspberry Pi Foundation. 

Trefnwyd yr ymweliad gan yr arweinydd clybiau profiadol, Marcus Davage, sydd wedi bod yn rhedeg Clwb Codio yn Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna ers dwy flynedd, ac yn Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd rhwng 2016 a 2019. Pan nad yw’n datblygu meddalwedd ar gyfer prif gyfrifiaduron IBM, mae’n tincran â chyfrifiaduron Raspberry Pi.

“Mae ymweliadau fel hyn mor bwysig i blant. Maen nhw’n dod â thechnoleg yn fyw, gan ddangos i blant sut mae pethau’n edrych y tu allan i’r ystafell ddosbarth. Mae’n rhoi rhagflas o’r cyfleoedd fydd ar gael yn eu gyrfaoedd yn y dyfodol.”

Arweiniwyd y gweithdy gan Steven Lewis, cyn arweinydd y Clwb Codio sydd yn Addysgwr Ardystiedig Raspberry Pi. Tywysodd Steve y grŵp drwy’r prosiect Physical computing with Raspberry Pi, gan herio’r plant i greu system o oleuadau traffig drwy ddefnyddio Raspberry Pi a LEDs. 

Dangosodd Steve i’r plant sut i raglennu’r caledwedd gan ddefnyddio Scratch a Python, cyn iddyn nhw gael yr opsiwn i gwblhau’r prosiect yn yr iaith rhaglennu o’u dewis. Penderfynodd tua 50% o’r grŵp barhau i raglennu yn Python – roedd hi’n galonogol gweld y bobl ifanc yn rhoi cynnig ar iaith rhaglennu seiliedig ar destun. 

Rhannodd Steve ei feddyliau: 

“Roedd y daith yn gyfle pwysig i’r Clwb Codio [weld] arloesedd digidol yn y byd go iawn yn ogystal ag enghreifftiau o rai o’r swyddi lleol sydd ar gael yn y diwydiant technoleg. Rydyn ni’n argymell y dylai pob Clwb Codio drefnu ymweliad!”

Beth oedd barn y plant am y profiad?

Fe siaradon ni â dau o’r plant, Bella (10) a Mica (10), am eu profiadau gyda’r Clwb Codio a’r daith i Sony UK TEC.

Bella (10) a Mica (10)

Beth ydych chi’n ei hoffi am godio?

Bella: Dw i’n meddwl ei fod yn ffordd dda o ddysgu pethau newydd ac o gael cyfleoedd amrywiol i wneud pethau!

Mica: Dw i’n hoffi’r ffaith bod modd gwneud lot o bethau gwahanol, ac mae’n brofiad da o ran defnyddio technoleg.

Beth wnaethoch chi ei fwynhau fwyaf am yr ymweliad â Chanolfan Dechnoleg Sony UK?

Bella: Fe wnes i fwynhau’r ffordd y gwnaethon nhw ddangos gwahanol rannau’r ffatri i ni a sut roedd y darnau’n cael eu rhoi at ei gilydd. Cawson ni gyfle i godio goleuadau traffig hefyd, oedd yn anodd!

Mica:Wnes i fwynhau eu bod nhw’n dangos sut yn union roedd creu’r Raspberry Pi yn y ffatri.

Pa ffaith (neu ffeithiau) cŵl wnaethoch chi eu dysgu yn ystod eich taith?

Bella: Roedd Sony yn gwneud llawer o bethau eraill hefyd yn ogystal â’r Raspberry Pi, er enghraifft camerâu.

Beth ydych chi’n bwriadu codio yn y dyfodol?

Bella: Dw i am fwrw ymlaen i godio yn yr ysgol uwchradd! Gobeithio bod clwb ar gael.

Mica: Byddwn i’n hoffi rhaglennu gêm, gêm ddylunio efallai lle rwyt ti’n gallu creu dy gymeriadau dy hun.

Os ydych chi wedi cael eich ysbrydoli i sefydlu Clwb Codio yng Nghymru ac i roi’r cyfle i bobl ifanc ddysgu sgiliau gwerthfawr gydol oes, cysylltwch â Sarah Eve Roberts yn wales@codeclub.org 

Clwb Codio Treganna visits the Sony UK Technology Centre

Code Club is about much more than teaching programming. Our clubs provide young coders with valuable skills in problem-solving, communication, and resilience that benefit them throughout their lives. 

We saw how inspiring these experiences can be when 21 excited children from Clwb Codio Treganna, Cardiff went on a trip to the Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed!

Clwb Codio Treganna at Sony Technolgy Centre

The Sony UK Technology Centre (TEC), located 20 minutes outside of Cardiff, is where Raspberry Pi computers are manufactured. Sony first began manufacturing Raspberry Pi computers back in 2012, at around 10,000 units per year. They now output one Raspberry Pi every 3.1 seconds!

In addition to creating the hardware, Sony UK TEC also runs educational visits for primary schools to inspire their learners about coding. The tours and workshops aim to spark an interest in technology and manufacturing, and to help to develop the technological understanding of the innovators of the future.

A Raspberry Pi computer

Clwb Codio Treganna attended the ‘Learn 2 Code’ programme, which lasted a full day and included a tour of the working factory floor and a coding workshop based on Raspberry Pi Foundation projects. 

The visit was organised by experienced club leader, Marcus Davage, who has been running a Code Club at Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna for two years, and at Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd from 2016 to 2019. When not developing software for the IBM mainframe, he tinkers about with Raspberry Pi computers himself.

“Visits like this are so important to children. They bring to life what tech is all about, showing children the bigger picture outside the classroom. It’s a taster of the opportunities available for their future careers.” 

The workshop was led by Steven Lewis, a past Code Club club leader and a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator. Steve led the group through the Physical computing with Raspberry Pi project, challenging the children to create a traffic light system using a Raspberry Pi and LEDs. 

Steve showed the children how to programme the hardware using both Scratch and Python before they were given the option to complete the project in their chosen programming language. Around 50% of the group decided to continue programming in Python — it was encouraging to see the young people try out a text-based programming language. 

Steve shared his thoughts: 

“Children love physical computing, it provides a way they can interact with the real world through their code. The workshops also give children the opportunity to explore and tinker with Scratch and Python in a different environment.” 

Marcus told us:  

“The trip was an important opportunity for the Code Club to [see] digital innovation in the real world as well as examples of some of the local jobs available in the tech industry. We recommend all Code Clubs book a visit!” 

What did the children think of the experience?

We spoke to two of the children, Bella (10) and Mica (10), about their experiences with Code Club and the trip to Sony UK TEC.

Bella (10) and Mica (10)

What do you like about coding?

Bella: I think it’s a good way to learn new things and have different opportunities to do things!

Mica: I like how you can do different things with it and it’s a good experience with technology.

What did you enjoy most about the visit to the Sony UK Technology Centre?

Bella: I enjoyed how they showed us around the different parts of the factory and how the pieces are put together. We also had a chance to code traffic lights which was difficult!

Mica:I enjoyed that they showed us exactly how the Raspberry Pi was created in the factory.

What cool fact(s) did you learn during your trip?

Bella: Sony also made lots of other things, not just Raspberry Pi, for example cameras.

What are you planning on coding in the future?

Bella: I want to carry on with coding in high school! I hope there is a club.

Mica: I would like to program a game, maybe a designing game where you can create your own characters.

If you’re inspired to set up a Code Club in Wales and give young people the opportunity to learn valuable life-long skills, contact Sarah Eve Roberts at wales@codeclub.org

Physical computing kits available for Code Clubs in England

From making your first LED blink to creating a musical instrument, physical computing can bring the ‘A-ha!’ moment into your Code Club.

If your Code Club is running within a school in England, you can hire a selection of physical computing kits from an NCCE Computing Hub for free.

Bringing the ‘A-ha!’ moment to Code Club

Physical computing helps club members to build connections between the real world and programming. By designing, programming, and making their own creations, young people get the opportunity to learn about microcontroller boards, LEDs, inputs and outputs, and so much more!  

The kits are designed so that you can get started straight away. No experience is necessary as you’ll have access to:

  • The Teach Computing guide to physical computing kits
  • Step-by-step projects
  • Our online FutureLearn courses 

What are the kits?

The physical computing kits are available from the 34 NCCE Computing Hubs located at secondary schools across England. The kits are split into trays by type of device, and each tray is suitable for teachers to get started with physical computing at different key stages:

  • Crumble trays – aimed at key stage 2
  • Micro:bit trays – aimed at key stages 2 and 3
  • Raspberry Pi Pico trays – aimed at key stage 4
  • Raspberry Pi 3B+ trays – aimed at key stage 4
This is what a Raspberry Pi Pico tray looks like

How can I borrow a kit to use at my Code Club?

If you’re a teacher in England, you can visit the NCCE Hubs webpage to find your local Hub, then contact them to find out what’s available to borrow. Each computing kit is generally available to use for up six weeks at a time. 

If you’re a volunteer, you can still access the free Teach Computing Curriculum to use in your club. 

I’ve hired a kit. How do I get started? 

The Teacher Guide to physical computing kits provides a detailed explanation of all of the equipment and components included in the kits. It also has information about free teaching resources and training. 

The Raspberry Pi Foundation recently launched two fantastic new project paths that your Code Club could explore with the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and Raspberry Pi Pico trays:

Each project has step-by-step instructions to help young coders and educators to learn and develop their coding skills together! 

Raspberry Pi Picos bring Python code to life when connected to breadboards and other electrical components

How have the kits been used?

More than two hundred trays have been loaned out since September 2021. Over 90% of teachers who have borrowed them say that they have used lessons and units from the Teach Computing Curriculum to teach with the physical computing kits, some during class time and others at after-school clubs, like Code Club. 

Ian Cartwright, a teacher from Belvedere Academy, a girls’ secondary school in Toxteth, Liverpool, borrowed a tray of Raspberry Pi Picos to use at his lunchtime club with a small group of 11- to 12-year-old students. Ian started with five students and that quickly went up to a group of ten when they started telling their friends about making the LEDs flash. Ian said, 

“[It’s] massively more engaging than programming Python on a screen — walking into a room with the box of kit grabs their attention straight away. They love the idea of building something physical, like a car. When the lights flash they ask whether they can take their phones out (but they’re not allowed to) so that they can show their mum and dad when they get home.”

Young people can build motorised buggies and bridges with the Crumble tray

Year 5 and 6 students from Purford Green Primary Academy in Harlow, Essex, told us about how they used Crumbles to make buggies drive around tables and control bridges to make them go up and down. When asked how using Crumbles compared with other computing activities, such as using Scratch, one student said, 

“I liked the Crumbles because it helped me develop my block coding and make my bridge move. I couldn’t do that on Scratch.” 

Bring the magic of physical computing into your Code Club and share your adventures with us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Go on a coding adventure with our NEW project paths!

To celebrate the new term, we’re bringing new coding discoveries to your Code Club. Find out how you can support your club members to become independent tech creators with our free educational project paths. 

Our new project path learning resources are structured so learners develop skills, knowledge, and increased independence as they progress through each path.  

Each path contains six projects. In the first three projects, known as ‘Explore’, new skills are introduced and learners are provided with step-by-step instructions to build their confidence. Next up are two ‘Design’ projects, to give children the opportunity to practise their new skills by creating their own personalised projects. The final ‘Invent’ project encourages coders to meet a project brief and decide how they want to develop their ideas using the toolbox of skills they’ve learned in previous projects. 

The project paths

Explore the project paths and choose one that suits your club this term. 

Introduction to Scratch: sprites, scripts, and loops
Club members find out how to add code, costumes, and sounds to sprites. They can make animations, games, apps, and books within this path.

Space Talk Scratch project

More Scratch: broadcast, decisions, and variables
To build on what they have learnt in the ‘Introduction to Scratch’ path, learners explore message broadcasting, if..then and if..then..else decisions, and variables.

Liz Smart, Learning Coordinator, shares why she’s enjoying the Grow a dragonfly project with her Code Club: 

“When club members realised the range of edits they could make to existing Scratch sounds, and how these could be used in their code, the club sessions got super creative! Every session since then has had an extra level of noise….and I love it!

An added bonus to this project was the amazing dragonfly facts that we all learned.”

Grow a Dragonfly Scratch project

Further Scratch: clones, my blocks, and Boolean logic
To take their Scratch learning a stage further, club members learn how to use Boolean logic, functions, clones, and more within their projects.

Introduction to Python: variables, functions, and loops
Coders are introduced to the text-based programming language Python. They code with variables, loops, and functions to create visual and interactive artwork, animations, simulations, games, and more.

Physical computing with Scratch and the Raspberry Pi
Bring physical computing into your club! This path guides you through how to use input and output electronics with Scratch and a Raspberry Pi computer.

Introduction to Unity: 3D objects, character controllers, colliders, text, and buttons
Help your coders take their first exciting steps in learning how to create 3D worlds and games with collectibles, timers, and non-player characters. These projects are brought to you with generous support from Unity Technologies.

Join us at an online workshop and discover how your Code Club can make 3D worlds with our NEW Unity project path!  

Unity 101: Setting up for success
Wednesday 2 February, 11:00 GMT / 6:00 EST / 16:30 IST

Unity 102: Creating 3D worlds
Wednesday 9 February, 13:00 GMT / 8:00 EST / 18:30 IST

Celebrating success 

Once club members have completed a path, celebrate their achievements by downloading one of our editable path certificates. 

If you’re based in the UK, the USA, India, or Ireland, head to your dashboard to download. If you’re based outside of these countries, visit our Code Club International website. 

Share your completed projects with the Code Club community on Twitter, using the hashtag #MyCodeClub.