Vasco Cordeiro announces new "Code Workshop" project to reach about 15 thousand students in the Region
The President of the Government announced today the creation of a new project designated as "Code Workshop," which is expected to reach 15 thousand elementary and middle school students next school year. This initiative aims to make them familiar with the programming languages of computer science and computing.
"In the next school year, this project, a Government's investment of about one million Euros, will be virtually extended to all regional schools, covering about 15 thousand students," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke after visiting the Programming and Robotics Club of Lagoa Secondary School. This is one of the 22 clubs of the kind established since last year in regional schools under the Action Plan for Scientific and Technological Culture.
Last Friday, the public tender for the purchase of about 2,000 computers was already published and a another one is about to be launched for the first time; the latter concerns the certification and training of teachers who will be involved in the "Code Workshop" project.
As a result of this investment, the computer stocks of elementary and middle school schools will be modernised with new computers. If necessary, the coverage of existing wireless networks will be reinforced so that all the technical conditions will be met for the implementation of this initiative.
"We believe that the importance of this project concerns the familiarisation of students, aged between six and twelve, with the languages of computing and programming, reinforcing the component of digital citizenship. It has all the conditions to enhance the skills of children and young people in the Region in this area, which is of paramount importance for the future," stressed the President of the Government.
Speaking to journalists, Vasco Cordeiro also stressed that the "Code Workshop" does not increase class hours for students. It is rather a way of redirecting and complementing the contents taught at Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) classes.
With the implementation of this initiative, the Autonomous Region of the Azores is the first or one of the first regions that brings training in these areas to children from 6 to 12 years.
During the visit to the Programming and Robotics Club of Lagoa Secondary School, Vasco Cordeiro had the opportunity to learn about the work carried out by students, namely the creation of mobile applications, the programming of a robot as well as the programming, modelling and animation of the video game titled "The Discovery and the Settlement of the Azores."