National Coding Week
This year’s theme is focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI), its growing significance in current and future jobs market. By 2035, the UK will need an estimate of 1.9 million STEM professionals, and a recent report shows that AI is being woven into the workplace already with 75% of workers using it.
STEM Learning, together with the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) is are here to support teachers in learning with and about this cutting-edge technology. Make National Coding Week a launchpad for your students’ coding journeys, sparking their interest in AI and the broader digital world!
Paying attention to the code behind the curtain
While software development is set to evolve, automating everyday tasks and reducing repetition, computer science knowledge remains essential for creative approaches to solving novel problems with machines. After all it's more than 100 years since the lost princess of Oz said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it”.
Coding Week resources to support your lessons
This is an excellent time for teachers across both primary and secondary stages to immerse your students in the world of programming and digital creativity. Whether you’re introducing younger pupils to coding or guiding older students through more advanced concepts, there are numerous resources and activities to make this week impactful.
Encourage your students can write a simple program to be run on the International Space Station.
Work with pupils to use micro:bits to tackle real-world issues, integrating digital skills with problem-solving.
Join programming-focused events to help secondary students hone their skills - perfect for boosting their understanding of key concepts.
Work in a team on a small-scale space project designing and programming your own can-sized satellite. Sign-up deadline 10 October 2024.
Engage students in discussions and activities to consider ethical and moral issues associated with the rapidly developing use of AI.
Bring inspirational role models from a range of computing-linked careers into your classroom.
Narrowing the gender gap with the I Belong programme
Building girls’ confidence in STEM and computing starts at school. Currently, only one in five GCSE Computer Science and 17.5% of all A level Computer Science entries are from female students in England. It can be tough to see yourself working in a STEM job if you don’t already see others like you working there, however this culture needs to change and the I Belong programme as well as Computing Ambassadors are key.
We want to encourage all young people, particularly girls, to have another look at STEM subjects this National Coding Week, now that the new academic year is underway.
CPD to support your teaching about and with AI technologies
Immerse yourself into the ethical considerations of AI, what does it mean for your students both for their examinations but also in everyday life.
Understand AI fundamentals and their implications in education - and reduce your workload.
Explore how AI may be linked to aspects of the primary computing curriculum, supporting creativity, digital literacy, and the use of IT.
Discover how AI and other digital tools are saving time and supporting collaboration in the classroom.
Explore the role of generative AI and its fundamentals, investigating various platforms to support your teaching at KS3.
Delve deep into cybersecurity, exploring network vulnerabilities and learning effective prevention strategies.
