Five things to get excited about with Code Club in 2024
Welcome to 2024! The start of a new year always brings excitement and enthusiasm to plan the year ahead. Code Club Headquarters is in full swing to ensure that in 2024 we have plenty of new and updated resources for our Code Clubs and that we continue to support new clubs to begin. Here are our top five things to expect from Code Club Australia this year.
1. New projects, 100% Australian
There are many new projects in all stages of production, ready to be shared with clubs this year. The projects are created with our Aussie kids in mind, using content that is relevant, and supports teachers in classrooms. We are excited to collaborate with CSIRO and Wonder of Science on some of these projects.
The first new project has already been released! Fowl Weather uses coding blocks to animate a rainstorm and has been released in time to celebrate National Rubber Duckie Day, which started thanks to Sesame Street. The project focuses on the use of clones, broadcasts, and colour effects to create a realistic rainstorm.
Keep an eye on our social channels, and in our newsletter, for more new release projects.
2. Moonhack
Our annual Moonhack coding challenge is a highlight of the year for many clubs. Planning has already begun for this year’s challenge, and we can share with you a few secrets, not yet released anywhere else. This year Moonhack will run from October 14–31. Project submissions will close November 30. To align with World Space Week this year’s theme will focus on Space and Climate Change, incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and will feature another Design project task.
3. Club Spotlight stories
Each month we will be sharing stories from one of our Australian Code Clubs. Each spotlight will be shared in our monthly newsletter and will link to a blog post about the club. Clubs will share how their club started, why they volunteer, what their coders think of the club, favourite projects and resources, the benefits of being in Code Club, and more.
Would you like your club to be featured? Fill out this form and Kaye will be in touch. We would love to hear from every club in Australia and create a place where we can learn from and support each other.
4. Online training
Our class of 2024 has been released in our Code Club in the Classroom training. This 5 hour PD package is designed for teachers to deepen their understanding of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies, and to see how running a Code Club in your classroom can be an awesome way to support students in developing their computational thinking skills.
Not a teacher? The course will support you in developing your understanding of how children learn, digital pedagogy, inclusive practices, and how to use our free resources to cater to a wide range of different abilities.
For teachers in the ACT we have TQI accreditation for this course.
Do you have school-aged students who will be mentoring at Code Club? We’ve also developed an online course for them that will take about an hour to complete. Those who finish the course will receive a Code Club pack to identify them as a mentor. What more info? Email Kaye directly for the link — kaye@codeclubau.org
5. Coolest Projects
Coolest Projects Global is back for another year. Coolest projects is a celebration of young digital creators and the amazing things they make with technology. There are a lot of support materials for this, and it is a great opportunity for students to enter a challenge and have their projects shared with a global audience. Registrations open February 14 and close May 22. Why not get started today?
If you want to hear more from someone who is experienced with Coolest Projects, check out this chat with Daniel who has had students enter Coolest Projects for many years and in 2022 were selected as judge favourites!
2024 is set to be another great year for Code Club Australia. What are you most looking forward to?
Happy coding!
Kaye
Code Club Australia
