OurKidsCode: Family Coding Clubs
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€329,656
- Organisation:Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Project Summary
Parental involvement in education is strongly associated with better learning outcomes. OurKidsCode creates opportunities for families to learn about computing together through the development and support of a nationwide network of self-sustaining family coding clubs run by families, for families. These clubs are safe, inclusive and fun.
OurKidsCode aims to build parents’ confidence and skills through discovering technology alongside their children. We design, develop and deliver family creative-coding workshops and provide ongoing training and support for facilitators and partner organisations. We offer a ‘taster’ workshop to harness interest and bolster confidence and a ‘start-a-club’ programme to foster self-reliance and build capacity for self-sustaining family-led activity by increasing competence and skills. We continue to support the resulting family-led clubs as families continue to learn together.
Our design process, placing participants at its centre, not only follows international best practice, but establishes it through research and publication. Evaluation uses an iterative Design Based Research(DBR) approach with each cycle leading to refinements in design and implementation. Training and delivery mechanisms follow the same model, giving the benefit of input from stakeholders, including professional educators, for continued co-creation and their growth through dialogue with us.
Partnership with the DRCD, providing access to over 300 Broadband Connection Points(BCPs), local expertise and funding for training and delivery, has embedded the programme into rural communities. For 2025-26, we are developing new partnerships with companies, community organisations, libraries, and local authorities deepening capacity for rollout of the programme and delivery to marginalised communities.