Mayaro students get computer coding training

More than 100 students from Mayaro and surrounding communities participated in computer coding workshops at the Mayaro Resource Centre over the July-August vacation period.

The Cracking the Code vacation learning experience provided students with a technical and practical understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, coupled with learning the fundamentals of computer-based coding.

The training was sponsored for the second successive year by bpTT, and delivered by Education Solution Specialists Limited (ESSL), a media release said.

It said the MP for Mayaro, Rushton Paray was high in praise of the training programme. Paray delivered the feature address at the graduation function on August 21.

“It’s great to see the presence of so many parents here today – you all are key to guiding the success of your children. Information and communications technology and coding are now life skills and should be a part of the curriculum from the primary school level. The graduates of this programme stand on the edge of a digital frontier and bpTT has empowered you for a dynamically changing world. Coding is the literacy of the future, and you are the pioneers who will lead us forward.”

The workshops which began on July 7 involved age groups ranging from eight to 11 in the first four cohorts, and the second session for students 12 and over. Apart from the core computer coding-based skills, the participants were also guided to develop abilities such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and real-time adaptability.

For Emmen Sobion, this was an essential experience for her nine-year-old son, Jaysean, who attends Mafeking Government Primary.

“My son loves computers and he’s very good at gaming with the desire to build his own games. He’s so focused that he started saving up to buy a laptop and I fully support his interests. He saw the ad for this workshop and he explained to me what coding was and how important it is. I did my own research, and this truly is the way of the future. This camp was an excellent opportunity for him to gain an advantage in an increasingly competitive global society.”

The students delved into a technology-focused understanding of diverse topics including animation, coding games and creating programs. They extended these concepts into marine life preservation, renewable energy, hydroponics, erosion mitigation and designing prototypes such as traffic lights and a storm alert system using software-compatible and Bluetooth-enabled components, the release said.

Communications advisor to bpTT Luis Araujo commended the graduates on their effort.

“We are proud that each of you took the time out of your vacation to attend this camp. Modern jobs are focused on computer-based technology, so this course will give you an edge in any career you choose. From the feedback, we know that you all had fun and absorbed every aspect of training as shown by the innovative programs and prototypes you created. We know that this training will propel you, and Mayaro, to the forefront of modern development,” Araujo said.

He said with the increasing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) and other coding-focused skillsets, the camp will help improve academic performance and give the students a significant advantage in the emerging economy and workplace.

Speaking about his camp experience Francis Phillip, 15, who attends Mayaro Secondary School, said, “My goal is to become a software engineer and this camp really expanded my understanding of the required skillsets and mindset for this career. The teachers were excellent and offered a lot of individual attention while encouraging collaboration. I am graduating from this coding camp with a new vision for my future, and a network of friends who want to transform our community and country through technology.”

As mandated by bpTT, a key component of the programme is creating sustainable outcomes. In pursuit of this, a Mayaro-based coding academy will be managed by ESSL starting in September. This year-long programme will incorporate primary and secondary students and utilise block and script-based coding, integrated with arts and design, to align with traditional curriculum-based subject areas. The participants will also engage in projects that will incorporate technology to develop solutions for community-based issues such as flooding, the release said.

With a decade of experience in designing education architecture and implementing digital education strategies, the managing director of ESSL, Brendon Butts, was enthusiastic about the turnout and enthusiastic participation of the students.

He was assisted by ESSL general manager and tutor Raenika Butts as well as Mayaro-based volunteers Renesa Joseph and Alex Gonsalves who is a second-year medical student and bpTT Brighter Prospects scholarship recipient.

Butts said, “I must thank bpTT for providing this invaluable opportunity to so many young people and this is where the future is. They have supported training initiatives from pre-primary to post-graduate levels. This coding camp is another block in an inclusive approach where bpTT has invested in integrating technology in education, including the installation of SMART Boards in classrooms and providing laptops and tablets to students.

“This training fused creativity and technology and challenged the students to use fundamental knowledge and concepts in creating a platform for them to build skills towards script-based coding, computer science and the working world of technology.”