NUI Galway is launching a programme together with Google Ireland which will teach Galway schoolchildren about computer coding, as well helping the next generation of teachers with how to teach Computer Science.
The Creative Coding for Maths Makers project merges Mathmetics and Computer Programming to teach primary and secondary school students coding as it is used in STEM industries.
BA student teachers at NUIG will work with students in the James Hardiman Library’s MakerSpace, where they will have access to top of the line computers and 3D printing services.
The programme is being headed by Dr. Cornelia Connolly of NUIG’s School of Education who says this is a landmark opportunity to prepare teachers for the introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject.
“There is the challenge now to prepare teachers properly to teach these key STEM areas in an engaging and effective way. Projects like ‘Creative Coding for Maths Makers’ enable us to start doing this in Galway in partnership with schools in the city and region.”
Minster for Education Richard Bruton announced in January that 40 Secondary schools would be adding Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject this September including St. Brigid’s Mercy Secondary School in Tuam.
The Maths Makers programme is one of several projects Google is funding to promote computing education in Ireland.
Computer Science Education Programme Manager at Google Ireland Claire Conneely says that teaching Computer Science in schools “will ensure that students have a deeper understanding of how they can use technology to be creative and solve problems.”
