Welcome back everyone! Term 3 is a go and it’s great to get coding again.

We’re delighted to be returning to Meadowbank School, as well as continuing at St Heliers School, Kohimarama School, Churchill Park School, Saint Kentigern Boys’ School and Saint Kentigern College.

The plan is to start an introductory course at Glendowie School later this term. if you’re interested in joining this – or coding with us at any of our schools – contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

While you’re here, check out all the action from our Holiday Programme. And why should we teach kids to code? In a recent article School Principal Mike Hansen explains.

We hope our young coders enjoy the term ahead. It looks like our Meadowbank School group got off to a great start!

We’re now taking bookings for our after-school classes in Term 3*.

Our courses aim to help develop computational thinking and expand understanding of computer programming in engaging and effective ways. If you’re interested in booking a spot or simply finding out more get in touch.

Our schools and days in Term 3 are:

Monday

• Meadowbank School
• Saint Kentigern College
• Parnell District School

Tuesday

• Churchill Park School
• Kohimarama School

Wednesday

• Saint Kentigern Boys’ School
• Glendowie School (NEW)

Thursday

• St Heliers School
• Saint Kentigern Boys’ School

Returning and new

We’re delighted to be returning to Meadowbank School after missing Term 2.  Plans are also being made to start classes at Glendowie School. We are still to finalise all the details, so watch this space (it’s likely to a shortened, introductory course for the first term).

Coming to your school?

Also, if your school is not on this list and you’d like us look at starting classes there, get in touch and we’ll approach the school.

Book your spot

Knowledge of computer coding is part of modern learning and being added to the NZ Curriculum. Get your child on the front foot by improving their ability in this important digital skill.

Places are limited in our after-school classes. To book available spot or find out more, please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

*Please note: Class timings and fees do vary slightly between schools. Some schools restrict attendees to their own students only.

What’s coding, and why is it such a big deal? In a recent article published in Tots To Teens, School Principal Mike Hansen explains.

Coding has become a hot topic in education over the last few years, with the announcements and commitments by the Ministry of Education to strengthen technology learning in all schools across New Zealand by 2020. The purpose of this change and emphasis is to ensure that all students can develop into digitally capable individuals. There will be a greater focus on schools on students building skills, so they can be “innovative creators of digital solutions, moving beyond solely being users and consumers of digital technologies.”

Why is coding being taught?

Coding encompasses computational thinking, systematic reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The teaching of these skills to children will encourage them to become more innovative, creative, and adaptable to new developments and technologies as they emerge. Once coding has been mastered, students can construct, explore, experiment, evaluate, and draw conclusions with technology. The Ministry of Education believes that “Coding helps to create our digital world and as our world becomes more digital, coding is becoming more of an in-demand and employable skill.” Just as typewriting and the use of calculators were introduced to schools previously, coding is taught to prepare students for their future.

How is it being taught?

There are multiple platforms and languages that can be used to teach coding. These are considered by …

Read more at: totstoteens.co.nz/technology/why-we-should-teach-kids-to-code/

Code Champions will be hosting a three-day coding course during the first week of the Term 2 holidays, Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 July.

We’re looking forward to tackling some great projects and are offering three awesome days of computer programming:

• Dates: Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 July
• Time: 9.15am to 3.30pm
• Student ages: Years 4 to 8 (in 2019)
• Cost: $300 for the three days, which includes the use of a computer and appropriate software during tuition time.
• Venue: Churchill Park School, Kinsale Avenue, Glendowie, Auckland

Participating students will be placed in groups of a similar level of coding experience and each day they will tackle a different coding challenge. Each will suit a range of skills and interests, and will introduce them to a variety of programming approaches and experiences.

Schedule for each day*

• 9.15am: Doors open and sign in
• 9.30am: Welcome and overview of the day
• 9.40-11.15am: Coding session 1
• 11.15-11.30am: Morning tea
• 11.30am-1pm: Coding session 2
• 1-1.30pm: Lunch
• 1.30-1.40pm: Group briefing
• 1.40-3.20pm: Coding session 3
• 3.20pm: Debrief and review of the day
• 3.30pm: Goodbye and sign out

* Timings may vary during the day.

Coding sessions: During each session, there will be periods of instruction mixed with hands-on programming, collaboration with other students, testing and debugging, and demonstrations.

Places are limited: Places are limited (approx 8-10 people per project) and students will be grouped by age/ability. When it comes to offering places we will process enquiries in the order they are received. This is designed as a three-day course and first dibs will go to bookings for the entire three days. (If we are unable to fill all the places we may be able to offer single days at $125 each. Let us know if you only want a single day and we’ll add you to a waiting list.)

Bring your own food: Refreshments are not provided (other than water fountains for topping up drinks bottles). Students will need to bring their own food and drinks for morning tea and lunch.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

If you’d like to book a place for your daughter or son – or have any questions – please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

 

Please note: We treat all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act. We do not share information with any Third Parties.

Well, that’s pretty much it for Term 2. Yesterday’s classes at Saint Kentigern Boys’ and St Heliers School were the last official sessions (except for a couple of make-up classes next week).

Thanks to everyone who joined us for coding this term. It’s been a lot of fun … and some serious programming along the way.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to keep coding – or are just at a loose end – there’s our holiday programme from Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 July. Find out more here.

And, of course, we’ll be back with our after-school classes in Term 3. If you haven’t already, get in to touch to book your spot at info@codechampions.nz

Enjoy the holidays and we hope to see you soon.

This week, the Churchill Park School classes experimented with using TV remotes to control robots using their infrared (IR) signals.

The goal was to code the robot to respond when a specific button was pressed, for example left arrow means turn left, forward arrow means go forward (although any button could be coded to perform any task – the robot just needed to know how to respond to any given signal).

Firstly, it was an opportunity to learn about the light spectrum. We can’t see infrared but IR sensors can, both on the TV and the robot. We also used a smartphone camera to ‘see’ the light, as cameras can pick it up, too.

Secondly, the IR signal itself is a binary code, of 1s and 0s, usually a simple seven-digit code. One challenge was it appears that the remotes often use the same code, event from different manufacturers, as there was some interference. This meant working out how to resolve the issue, primarily using different control buttons.

Actually loading the code/signal to the robot itself seemed the simplest part of the whole process. Then, finally, we had the sumo wrestle, where students remotely controlled their robots to push others’ robots out of the ring.

Well done everyone!

Code Champions will be hosting a three-day coding course during the first week of the Term 2 holidays, Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 July.

We’re looking forward to tackling some great projects and are offering three awesome days of computer programming:

• Dates: Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 July
• Time: 9.15am to 3.30pm
• Student ages: Years 4 to 8 (in 2019)
• Cost: $300 for the three days, which includes the use of a computer and appropriate software during tuition time.
• Venue: Churchill Park School, Kinsale Avenue, Glendowie, Auckland

Participating students will be placed in groups of a similar level of coding experience and each day they will tackle a different coding challenge. Each will suit a range of skills and interests, and will introduce them to a variety of programming approaches and experiences.

Schedule for each day*

• 9.15am: Sign in
• 9.30am: Welcome and overview
• 9.40-11am: Coding session 1
• 11-11.20am: Morning tea
• 11.20am-12.45pm: Coding session 2
• 12.45-1.30pm: Lunch
• 1.30-1.40pm: Group briefing
• 1.40-3.15pm: Coding session 3
• 3.15pm: Debrief and review of the day
• 3.30pm: Goodbye and sign out

* Timings may vary during the day. 

Coding sessions: During each session, there will be periods of instruction mixed with hands-on programming, collaboration with other students, testing and debugging, and demonstrations.

Places are limited: Places are limited (approx 8-10 people per project) and students will be grouped by age/ability. When it comes to offering places we will process enquiries in the order they are received. This is designed as a three-day course and first dibs will go to bookings for the entire three days. (If we are unable to fill all the places we may be able to offer single days at $125 each. Let us know if you only want a single day and we’ll add you to a waiting list.)

Bring your own food: Refreshments are not provided (other than water fountains for topping up drinks bottles). Students will need to bring their own food and drinks for morning tea and lunch.

Book your place

If you’d like to book a place for your daughter or son – or have any questions – please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

 

Please note: We treat all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act. We do not share information with any Third Parties.