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STEMUP Educational Foundation Launches CoderDojo @ Libraries Program

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STEMUP Educational Foundation Launches CoderDojo @ Libraries Program

July 19
07:08 2019
STEMUP Educational Foundation Launches CoderDojo @ Libraries Program

Delivering an Hour of Code Session at Public Library, Colombo 07

The STEMUP Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and engage students to become interested in pursuing scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) degrees and careers. The Foundation has educational opportunities and resources for all. This is their part of the vision of becoming a national model for passionate support for STEM education. STEM literacy is a foundational skill that matters for all careers. It builds critical thinking abilities, creativity, and collaboration skills. Gaining STEM proficiency provides the basis for these skills and builds the flexibility to adapt quickly to frequent changes in the labor market.

With code, you can write your story with technology. If you can code, you can communicate your ideas via a computer program bringing it to life. With an already prevalent shortage of good developers and programmers, CoderDojo has taken it upon themselves to prepare and arm the next generation of programmers.

CoderDojo is a global movement of free, open coding clubs called Dojos. These Dojos are open for anyone aged 7 to 17. Their mission is to give young people around the world the opportunity to learn to code in a social and safe environment. In keeping with the theme, those who take part in CoderDojo are called Ninjas.  Ninjas learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, and games, and explore technology in a fun and creative way. In addition, Ninjas also get the opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded peers and work on exciting projects. At the end of the day, Ninjas walk away with valuable social and transferable skills for the future.

CoderDojo Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan network of the CoderDojo Global Moment. An initiative of STEMUp Educational Foundation, CoderDojo Sri Lanka currently has over 30 locations in operation around the country.

CoderDojo Sri Lanka kicked off by on-boarding existing rural IT centers in the country. The team at STEMUp Educational Foundation visited their centers and carried out training on their trainers. This was specially directed to physical computing (Microbit, Arduino, etc.) and coding. Now they are running CoderDojo sessions in their centers parallelly to their on-going programs.

Dojos have been running in libraries all around the world and with good reason: a public library is an ideal venue for hosting a Dojo. CoderDojo Sri Lanka officially launched the program here in Sri Lanka at Public Library, Colombo 07 with over 30 participants.

Dulan Wikumpriya – Lead of CoderDojo Sri Lanka shared “it usually doesn’t cost anything; the vast majority of Dojos operate on 0 LKR. The venue is donated for free, typically corporate offices, canteens, community centers, libraries or schools; all volunteers running Dojos donate their time, and some kids bring their own devices”.

According to Prabhath Mannapperuma, Founder & Executive Director of STEMUp Educational Foundation, “It was great to see how children attended the CoderDojo Library session along with their parents during the weekend. This program will help to attract more teenagers to libraries as well.”

What began as a collection of Code.org activities has now expanded to an introduction to Micro:bit as well. Having successfully carried out the first CoderDojo session, further sessions are planned to be carried out at the Children’s library once a month by their volunteers.

Media Contact
Company Name: STEMUP Educational Foundation
Contact Person: Indika Dalugama
Email: Send Email
Phone: +94762002482
Address:No: 67/2, Wewalduwa, Kelaniya
City: Colombo, 11600
Country: Sri Lanka
Website: http://stemup.foundation

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