Empowering Minds through Coding and Innovation – Scientix blog Scientix blog
CC-BY, provided by the author
The fourth-grade students of Silla Primary School at the Comprehensive Institute La Giustiniana in Rome had an exciting opportunity to extend their education beyond the regular school term. They participated in a captivating project named “Coding ergo sum”, centred on coding activities.
CC-BY
The focus of this project was to support the children in developing critical thinking and nurturing their creativity. Although it might seem like a mere game, the project allowed them to grasp the fundamentals of computer programming. Through this endeavour, they learned how to interact with computers and give the machines commands in a simple and intuitive manner. This not only stimulated their curiosity but also fostered teamwork and interpersonal skills, as software and application projects often require cross-disciplinary collaboration.
CC-BY
The main goal was not to train future programmers exclusively, but rather to educate the children in computational thinking. They honed their ability to solve problems, including complex ones, by applying logical reasoning and step-by-step approaches to find the best solutions. The process encouraged cooperation and discussion, enabling the children to negotiate solutions and learn from errors through debugging. The initiative aimed to equip the students with valuable skills in logic, problem-solving, and the ability to confront and resolve real-world situations using algorithms and programming languages.
CC-BY
During the project, the students interacted with various robots, such as Bee-Bot, Super-Doc, and Mind, which served as characters moving within different scenarios and settings. The children programmed these robots to accomplish specific objectives and explored storytelling with improvisation and theatrical elements, making the experience engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, the children used Sphero Bolt and Sphero Indi robots, which could be programmed through a dedicated app. This enabled them to develop digital skills and learn by doing, as they captured micro-events, analysed them, and understood their broader context, including the relationship between cause and effect.
CC-BY
Moreover, through platforms like Scratch and Minecraft, the students grasped the importance of clear and unambiguous instructions in their programming projects, enhancing the efficiency of their work.
As the project concluded, Professor Alessandro Bogliolo and myself were invited to play CodyFeet, CodyRoby, and CodyColor with the students. The active participation and enthusiasm were evident during this interaction. They embraced the project and its proposed activities with a desire to get involved.
CC-BY
Families also were engaged in the awards ceremony, highlighting the significance of parental support in the educational journey of the students. This collaborative effort between the school, students, and families exemplifies the inclusive and supportive environment fostered by the “Coding ergo sum” project. The teachers, Anna Teresa and Rita, take immense pride in the successful results achieved by their students, and even the Headmaster has pledged to replicate the project in the following year. This project exemplifies the School of Tomorrow, and it demonstrates that such innovative and impactful education is not as distant as one might think!
CC-BY
Stefania Altieri is an Italian teacher, Scientix Ambassador and moderator of Coding@schools eTwinning group. She loves ICT and digital education. She believes in the teacher role in training new generations for a better and responsible future.
Find more articles here!