5th May 2021
Coding Success programme launches to help teachers boost coding and robotics skills
Royal Navy and RAF team up with BAE Systems, fully funding 600 non-selective state schools to take part in programme to excite students about STEM
Teachers from non-selective state schools across Great Britain are being invited to apply for a free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) educational programme, Coding Success, to help both educators and students develop confidence with coding and robotics in the classroom.
With digital skills playing a vital role in aiding economic recovery following Covid-19, demand for Artificial Intelligence, cloud and robotics skills is rocketing amongst businesses. However, new research from the Learning and Work Institute says the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped by 40% since 2015. To help inspire future coders, computer scientists and software engineers, Coding Success is supporting schools to nurture talent and spark curiosity around the digital and technology sectors.
Coding Success is fully funded by BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The initiative, which has 600 places up for grabs for non-selective state schools, aims to help fuel the passion of young people aged between 8-14 and encourage the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians through curriculum-linked lesson plans and resources.
Developed in partnership with The Smallpeice Trust (an educational charity) and Raising Robots (an authorised LEGO® Education partner), the programme will provide teachers with all the tools they need to inspire excitement in STEM. The course includes Teacher Training sessions, six engaging lesson plans and two LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime kits for children to gain practical experience with robotics and programming.
Coding Success incorporates a virtual humanitarian mission on an isolated volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, where students must successfully code their robots as part of a fictitious earthquake response scenario, helping the injured and making fresh drinking water available. Through hands-on learning, students will explore any problems that may arise and create exciting solutions through their code.
Richard Hamer, Education and Skills Director at BAE Systems, said: “As the requirement for digital skills grows, coding is an increasingly important part of the curriculum. Working with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to support the Coding Success programme, we’re aiming to give student and teachers the practical hands-on experience they need and inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers.”
Carrie Nicholson, Teacher at Norbreck Primary Academy, said: “Using the LEGO® Education program to make something that actually physically moves that you can get hold of makes it so much more real, not just to the children but to me as a teacher. My confidence in doing this coding has just absolutely blossomed.”
Owen Cooper, Teacher at Ormiston Venture Academy, said: “It’s great for secondary students in Year 7 where we can introduce coding, and the Python for Year 9 and 10s - we can link it to their GCSE in a fun way. That will be a massive benefit and I’m really looking forward to that and being able to experiment.”
Coding Success has 300 primary and 300 secondary school places available for non-selective state schools around Great Britain. Places will be allocated against certain criteria to help ensure a good regional spread and encourage participation from a wide range of students. Participating schools will attend online training, deliver six lessons to 60 students and complete programme evaluations.
Applications opened on Monday 26 April 2021 and will close on Friday 28 May 2021. Please visit www.codingsuccess.co.uk for further information.