The International Institute of Junior Coders and Engineers
The challenge that the project addresses
Africa is lagging behind in terms of technology use, which is particularly unfortunate given how technology can help solve so many Africanproblems. A lack of African engineers and scholars studying science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) is a direct consequence of Africa’s impractical education system.
What is your project doing to respond to this challenge?
I started an Institute in Harare, Zimbabwe where we teach children and adults computer coding, programming, software engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning models, mechanical engineering, electronics, and drone piloting (including learning the algorithms of drone movement. This is advanced mathematics, simplified and applied in the real world). We teach programming languages: Scratch, Python, JavaScript and MIT App Developer. I aim to develop children’s interest in coding, programming, robotics, and technology. They do this in a very practical way, by writing code. The curriculum builds on this foundation to teach algorithms, sequential, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and game building app development. We believe we are creating Africa’s inventors, employers, engineers, rocket scientists etc.
Describe the project's impact
When it comes to preparing your children for the future, there are few better ways to do so than to help them learn to code! Learning to code develops academic skills, builds qualities like perseverance and organisation; and gives valuable 21st-century skills that can lead to a career path.
- Coding helps children visualize abstract concepts, lets them apply math to real-world situations, and makes math fun and creative!
- Children learn through experimentation and strengthen their brains when they code, allowing them to embrace their creativity.
- Parents enthusiastically report that their children’s confidence has grown as they learn to problem-solve through coding!
- As they write more complicated code, children naturally develop better focus and organisation.
- Coding teaches logical communication, strengthening both verbal and written skills.
- Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age, and it’s important for children to understand – and be able to innovate with – the technology around them.
- There’s a high demand for workers in the tech industry; mastering coding at a young age allows children to excel in any field they choose.
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