@lemma wrote:
Early Investment in Computer Science
Most kids play computer games, use mobile apps and some even visit websites regularly. However, very few know how to use code to make their own games and apps. An early exposure to programming has a considerable impact on their computational and logical skill. Coding enhances creativity, logical reasoning, computation skill and also teaches kids how to work collaboratively. It helps to nurture problem- Solving Skills, Logic and Creativity in Children.
As young people create and design programs, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.The platform
Firstcode LAB Integrated Innovations is a Startup Company that focuses on giving Children a platform
for a rich learning experience in Programming, Robotics and Engineering. The startup company is located in the Ancient town of Ilaro in Ogun State.The Journey
The Company was founded by Akinode John Lekan in 2016 as a gateway for Kids in Nigeria to gain access into the world of programming and robotics. The vision was conceived in 2013 during his M.Sc. Program in Computer Science at the University of Hull, United Kingdom. The founder was fascinated with the coding skills of Primary and High School Students at a forum at the University of Hull where the kids showcased their apps and games. A further enquiry revealed that kids in primary schools in the UK have coding as part of their Curriculum. The curriculum has been structured to enhance or strengthen the Basic principles of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) .The need to replicate this same feat in Nigeria was the main driving force for the realization of this Kids Project.Kidscancodefest 2016 Workshop
Firstcode LAB Integrated Innovations hosted secondary school students in Ilaro, Ogun State to a 3 days Workshop tagged “KIDSCANCODEFEST 2016” on Programming and Robotics between 25th - 27th
February, 2016.Seventy Students were in Attendance on the First day of the Workshop. The Workshop Kick started with a class on Algorithm and Programming .The youngsters were quickly exposed to the Scratch Programming Environment and were taken through mathematically related programming tasks to enhance their Mathematics and Logic skill. Scratch is a programming Language designed specifically to encourage logical thinking and reasoning among children. Some of the coding tasks explain the concept of X-Y axes, geometric figures, Angles, Variables etc. The Second day of the Workshop covers the Basic foundation of Computer Science .The major Concepts in Computer Science were taught using the
Scratch Programming Language. These include; Commands, Sequence, Repeat and Forever Loop, If Statement, Memory Initialization and Functions. Furthermore, the kids were exposed to the Basic
Principles of Game design, quiz programming and development of Interactive
Stories and Animations.The Workshop came to a close on the 27th of February with an exciting class on Robotics where the Scratch Programming environment was connected to the Arduino Microcontroller using S4A (Arduino for
Scratch) software. The kids were given solid foundation in Robotics by taking them through the design of experiments using the Arduino Microcontroller. The experiments that were designed include the LED Blinks project & Robotics Control using Servo Motor, Arduino Micro Controller and Scratch Programming
Language.
Similarly, the kids were also exposed to the internal components of the Computer System, thus, they were taken through the process of Assembling and Disassembling of Computer
Systems. They also learnt about the basic Repairs and Troubleshooting process.…Competition
The kids engage each other in a
programming contest on the last day of the Workshop to ascertain their level of understanding of the basic programming concept taught. The judges which consist of some of the instructors selected six distinct projects based on originality, logic and functionality of the program. The judges were amazed with the quality and the complexity of the program design by the kids in 1hr 30mins.Some of the projects include game, current affairs quiz games, animation ,interactive stories etc.The Impact
“The Workshop is educative, Interesting and full of fun. It has stirred up my interest to take up a a career in IT”
Olumomi Rhoda, Promising Generation
Schools“It was fun, awesome and educative.”
Ogunsina Toluwanimi, Funnab
International School,Abeokuta“I love the programming aspect of the Workshop, it was
superb!”
Adenijo Adeyemi, Polytechnic Ilaro
Staff School.“The workshop was well organized and I learnt how to design game and simple Robot”
Adebayo
Olusola, Yewa College Ilaro JNR.“What I like most about the Workshop is the animation design using Scratch Programming”
Apesin Nasif Olamilekan,Oronna High
Ilaro SNR.What I like most about the Workshop was the way and manner we
were taught.It was fun. Thanks to the organinser for orgainising the Workshop.Abibu Oluwamisimi Ipadeola
Bolaji Model College,Ilaro,Ogun State.Side Attraction
The students were given free shirts (with the
inscription of scratch logo), free scratch software, free e-book, food, popcorn
and drinks.Akinode olalekan teaches Computer Science at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State.
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