Our after-school classes are now finished for the year.
We worked with Maqueen robots and Mind+ software, completing a variety of projects, from dancing and obstacle avoidance, to sumo wrestling and motion control.
Thanks to everyone for all your hard work and awesome coding. We can’t wait to see what you can do next year when we tackle website with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Code Champions December 2023
For the last two lessons, we’ve been putting into practice all the coding skills learned this term and last to create a Sumo program.
Our young coders have been challenged to write a suitable code that will run the robot during a Sumo-style bout – the robots have to push their opponent out of a ring.
We discussed potential tactics – such as whether they should attack or defend, move quickly or slowly, use the sensors or write a pre-set sequence of movement – but the program they subsequently developed was totally up to them. It was interesting to see a variety of approaches, combining not only creativity to devise a plan but also the skill to code what they wanted to achieve.
At times, I did have to rein in the competitiveness a little but I couldn’t fault their eagerness and ability to give it a go. Overall, it proved a very engaging and successful project, especially the all-in bouts at the end where every robot was in the ring. Well done everyone!
Next up we’ll be looking at how to code a program to control the robots remotely.
Code Champions November 2023
Well, we’re up and running for Term 4. All six classes are continuing their work with the Maqueen robots.
For this week’s class, students learned about infrared sensors and how these can be used to ‘see’ light and dark, enabling the robot to follow a line (line tracking). The code was a bit tricky but almost everyone successfully uploaded and ran the code.
Code Champions October 2023
Code Champions is delighted to be starting coding class at St Cuthbert’s College this term. We’re beginning with a short, introductory 5-week course.
Sessions are on Tuesdays from 1 August:
For further information, please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz
Code Champions July 2023
We’re looking forward to coding classes starting again for Term 3 at Saint Kentigern Boys’ and Girls’ Schools. The first sessions are in the second week of term, Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 August.
It’s a slightly shortened course for Terms 3 and 4, 12 weeks in total. We’re also excited to be introducing some robotics into the lessons.
For further information, please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz
Code Champions July 2023
Thanks to our Wednesday groups who continued to work hard this term on their Python coding.
We finished with a debugging exercise, finding and fixing errors in the code for a ‘Alien Invasion’ game. Everyone successfully found the bugs and was able to play the game.
After that, we enjoyed look at Minecraft-style code, which mimicked the popular game but on a smaller, more limited scale – and was coded in Python. This proved a lot of fun.
We hope everyone enjoys the mid-year holiday break and look forward to next term, when we’ll be adding some robotics to the coding challenges.
If you are interested in finding out more about our after-school coding classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Saint Kentigern Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, please get in touch at info@codechampions.nz
Code Champions June 2023
We’ll be running a coding course in the first week of the Easter break, Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 April.
The coding will focus on the micro:bit (https://microbit.org/). The class will suit those who have already done a previous holiday course with me, where they were introduced to the micro:bit. However, even if your child hasn’t previously coded with the micro:bit, they can still join us, as we’ll be going over the basics again anyway.
Once everyone’s up to speed, I’ll be taking the group on the next step, with some new code and integrating the micro:bit with a Maqueen robot. We’ll be programming the robot to move and perform tasks, which will be a lot of fun. Plus, there will be some other activities, as well.
When: Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 April
Time: 9.15am-3pm
Where: DVC Room, Saint Kentigern School (same as the after-school coding classes)
Cost: $345 (which includes use of a laptop, micro:bit and Maqueen robot – everyone gets their own to use)
Places are limited, and will be booked on a first come, first in basis. If you’re interested and would like to book a spot – or have any questions – please contact Greg Adams on info@codechampions.nz
Code Champions March 2023
After last week’s fun with emojis, yesterday we started to explore Tkinter, a Python library for creating a GUI, or Graphical User Interface (the way we visually interact with computers).
We’ll be working with this further next term but kicked things off with a digital clock.
Using the GUI and time modules, we worked our way through setting up the size and look of the clock (the fonts and colours were chosen by the students).
Most of the code was straightforward but there were a few tricky bits. So, well done to everyone for successfully completing the task.
This was the last class of Term 1. The first class back in Term 2 is on Thursday 27 April.
Code Champions March 2023
For the last couple of weeks, the Wednesday groups have been working with the Turtle module. This allows them to draw and create simple (and not-so-simple) line and colour images.
We started with basic lines, then shapes, likes squares and triangles. This week, the classes tackled a circle, before adapting their codes to include multiple circles and shapes, such as a target.
Another code they tried was a spiral, which has some quite complex coding and a ‘loop’.
The results were impressive, as was their eagerness to experiment and try different ways of writing the code to create various outcomes.
Code Champions March 2023
It was great to start our after-school coding classes this week, especially the two brand new groups on Wednesday. All four classes were keen and enthusiastic, getting struck right in to the work.
We will be continuing the learning journey with Python. For the new young coders, congratulations on writing your first Python code, print (‘kia ora world!)
There’s a tiny bit of homework, asking the following:
Take care and stay safe as Cyclone Gabrielle bears down on us. See you all next week.
Code Champions February 2023
codechampions.nz 