GovTech conducts free coding programme for underprivileged children in S'pore

Nice.

Syahindah Ishak | November 08, 2019, 11:33 AM

In today's world, acquiring some basic computer skills at a young age can be a game-changer.

Some children, however, might not have the means to do so.

Programme for underprivileged children

Fortunately, Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) has created the Digital4Good programme which offers coding lessons for underprivileged children.

The programme is conducted by volunteers from GovTech and is in collaboration with Google’s Code in the Community Programme.

Photo via GovTech.

Details of the programme

Digital4Good is intended for children age eight to 12.

They will get a two-hour coding lesson every week, for 10 weeks.

The software used in the programme is called Scratch, a block-based visual programming language and online community targeted primarily at children.

Through the programme, the children will improve on their digital literacy, confidence and resourcefulness.

Photo via GovTech.

At the end of the 10 lessons, they would already know how to code and would have created their own project.

Two projects that stood out

There were two particular projects that stood out.

One was called ‘Meme Music’ by Jia Wei, who apparently knows everything about internet memes.

His application functions like a mixer board, allowing the user to play several pieces of popular music.

Users can also overlay any piece of music with another.

Besides the music, the application incorporates entertaining graphics in the form of memes, including the famous Nyan Cat.

The second notable project was by the youngest member of the class, Siva.

Siva designed a game called ‘Dinosaur Maze’ where players have only a minute to navigate themselves out of a maze while trying to escape from a dinosaur.

Holiday programmes coming soon

GovTech has completed three runs of the programme.

A total of 73 children have been taught by 250 GovTech staff volunteers.

In addition, two holiday programmes for 40 students supported by 100 GovTech staff volunteers will also be conducted soon.

Top photo via GovTech.