OurKidsCode: Establishing and sustaining family creative-coding clubs across Ireland

The workshops consist of a single-session workshop to harness interest and bolster confidence and a 4-part model to foster self-reliance and build self-sustaining communities of practice by increasing competence, and skills in accessing knowledge and using materials. A key feature of both is families learn together and activities are inclusive. Our design process, which places participants at its centre, not only follows international best practice, but also establishes it through ongoing research and publication. Workshops are subject to ongoing evaluation using a Design Based Research (DBR) approach with each cycle leading to refinements in the implementation. Facilitator training follows the same model of evaluation, giving the benefit of input of professional educators and their growth through dialogue with us.

To date, we have trained 53 facilitators nationally. Our partnership with the DRCD, providing access to over 300 BCPs, local expertise and funding for training and delivery, embeds the programme into rural communities providing opportunities and support for self-sustaining family STEAM activities. The infrastructure established will also be available to other providers, greatly increasing the capacity to deliver STEAM Education across Ireland.