Coding Event

On Wednesday 10th December Scoil Mhuire Sóisearach in Newbridge will be hosting a ‘coding event’. This is as part of the international ‘Hour of Code’ week taking place from 8th – 12th December in schools around the globe. It is the largest learning campaign in history. The organisers of the week are aiming for 100 million people to do an hour of code by the end of 2014. More information can be found at code.org

Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Writing code helps children’s learning because it helps to nurture creativity and problem solving skills as well as prepare children for future jobs (some of which might not even exist yet!).

During the day, children from the various classes will come to the hall to try out different activities to help build the skills required for writing code. Even our youngest children can begin to learn to code with simple activities such as programming floor robots and simple online activities. The school’s principal Bryan O’Reilly is also going to give it a go and will try his first hour of code!

Parents can help in the following ways: 

• Are you available to help on the day? We need parents to assist the children with the simple online activities. No expertise required!
• Have you a laptop that you could lend us for the day? We need as many laptops as possible in order to give as many children as possible a go!
• You can also have a look at some of the activities and videos on  code.org with your child at home.

Please contact  bairbre.elwood@scmj.ie if you can help in any way.