GDST Juniors go eco-coding
More than 1,000 pupils from across the GDST family came together for the Junior Techathon in spring 2021.
More than 1,000 pupils from across the GDST family went on an ‘eco-coding adventure’ with Al the Robot during the Junior Techathon earlier this term. The virtual event for students from Year 1 and Year 2 was presented by Professor Trice and her robot friend Al from the social enterprise Get with the Program (GWP).
Some @bromleyhsjunior designs of robots ahead of our Year 1 and 2 #GDSTTechathon with @gwtp_uk. Where should they store that all important computer to control the bot? What language would it need? How could it be controlled? #enquiry #BrightMindsBrightFutures @digitalGDST pic.twitter.com/z9rsUcdh1c
— Bromley High School Junior Computing (@bromleyJunComp) March 1, 2021
Year 1 and 2 coders have had great fun exploring how to use technology to help make our world more sustainable at the #GDSTTechathon #openingdoors #futureleaders pic.twitter.com/K6GANbHesF
— SouthHampsteadHighSchool (@SHHSforGirls) March 3, 2021
GWP partnered with the GDST to deliver the environmentally themed event for the young pupils, using a blend of storytelling, performance and coding to explore solving some of the planet’s trickiest problems together online.
The focus of the day’s activities was reducing waste whilst shopping, with the online event helped pupils combine their concerns for the environment while learning about algorithms and robotics.
Lots of shouting at the screen going on here…is it A or is it B? Learning the 4 R’s to help the environment and how to build and algorithm and debug. Thank you for the great workshop with @gwtp_uk #GDSTTechathon @digitalGDST @bromleyhs pic.twitter.com/HafRCUj0lL
— Bromley High School Junior Computing (@bromleyJunComp) March 3, 2021
Sam Shallcross, Head of Computing at Bromley High Juniors, said:
“The Eco-Coding show gave a wonderful opportunity for our youngest learners to engage with computing concepts in a fun and relevant way. Understanding how algorithms are a part of our everyday lives helps to demystify the concept from a young age. The girls have enjoyed applying their algorithms to an environmental problem, to encourage reducing packaging and recycling materials.”
“It was a wonderful opportunity for our youngest learners to engage with computing concepts in a fun and relevant way”
With pupils spending so much time on screens during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was also important for the event to incorporate practical elements, too.
“We wanted to encourage girls to be active,” said Amy Icke, GDST Online Learning and Innovation Manager. “To put what they learn into practice, reinforce ideas and concepts, and encourage them to have time away from their screens and be creative.”
The KS1 girls got really stuck into building their algorithms and testing them out this afternoon #GDSTTechathon #ecocoding #debugging @gwtp_uk pic.twitter.com/q4WEppPsNN
— NHS Junior GDST (@NHSJuniorSchool) March 3, 2021
Grace, a Yr 2 pupil at Bromley High who took part in the day, said:
“I really enjoyed working out the algorithm to move the shopping trolley and I can still repeat the rhyme – Robot, robot go go go, follow your algorithm, don’t be slow!”
Ahead of the show, pupils were encouraged to create pictograms measuring their household waste and to come up with innovative solutions to reducing non-recyclable materials. After the Techathon, they designed their own waste-reducing robots using recycled items and took part in a follow-up show, sharing and celebrating their wonderful creative responses.
A great example of how the girls in Year 1 and 2 @bromleyhsjunior were inspired to get creative at home in making their own algorithms following on from the #GDSTTechathon with @gwtp_uk @digitalGDST #BrightMindsBrightFutures #caschat pic.twitter.com/zAxVmXtgGl
— Bromley High School Junior Computing (@bromleyJunComp) March 3, 2021