Kids Code Jeunesse (KCJ) is a Canadian (not for profit) organization based in Montreal, Quebec, which helps children in Canada have an opportunity to learn computational thinking through code.[1][2][3] The organization was founded in 2013.[1]

Kids Code Jeunesse
IndustryEducation
Founded2013; 11 years ago (2013) in Montréal, Québec, Canada
FounderKate Arthur
Headquarters,
Area served
Canada
Productsart:bit
BrandsCode Club Canada
Services
  • Training
  • Workshops
  • Education
Websitekidscodejeunesse.org

Projects edit

Code Club edit

In 2016, in partnership with Code Club U.K., KCJ licensed the rights to Code Club Canada, which runs volunteer-led Code Clubs for free across Canada. There are now over 750 Code Clubs registered throughout every province and territory.[4] These clubs are run for children aged 7–12 in schools, libraries, and community centers for 8 weeks.

Code Create Teach edit

In 2016, Kids Code Jeunesse, in partnership with Lighthouse Labs,[4] embarked on a national campaign to inspire teachers to incorporate the basics of coding and computational thinking into their classrooms.[5] From April to December 2018, KCJ hosted a free, full-day Code Create Teach workshops which provided K-12 educators with the tools to help them teach their students how to experiment with technology.[6] Two workshops were planned for each Canadian province and territory, allowing KCJ to reach over 1500 teachers. During the workshops, KCJ instructors provided tips and guidelines to bring coding into the classroom, as well as combine unplugged activities with hands-on coding activities. These methods gave attendees the opportunity to connect with other teachers in purposeful and learner-driven way.[7] Following the Code Create Teach workshops, each teacher was given a free classroom kit of micro:bits, a pocket-sized programmable micro-controller designed to make learning and teaching code easy and fun.[6]

Code MTL edit

In 2017, KCJ was contracted for CodeMTL, a project to deliver coding workshops to over 65 schools in the Commission Scolaire de Montréal, Quebec's largest school board.[4]

CanCode edit

In January 2018, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development announced that Kids Code Jeunesse was one of the recipients of the inaugural CanCode program. This program is part of the Canadian Government's Innovation and Skills Plan which has the stated intention to invest $50 million by March 2019 to increase the opportunities for children and teachers to master digital skills. With the funds received, Kids Code Jeunesse has been able to extend the training it provides to Canada's youth and aims to support over 70,000 children and 2000 teachers.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Hanna, Chris (10 January 2014). "Learning code a key ability for kids". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  2. ^ Marchal, Mathias (24 January 2018). "Montreal organization receives $ 6M to introduce kids to coding". Journal Metro. Transcontinental Média. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  3. ^ Lepage, Ninon Louise (6 October 2016). "Teach programming with the support of Kids Code Jeunesse". École branchée. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Mason, Quinn (22 January 2018). "Kids Code Jeunesse to receive major funding from $50 million CanCode program". MTL in Tech. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  5. ^ Coles, Terri (22 July 2018). "Newfoundland teachers learn coding — and what it could mean for the next generation". CBC News. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b Galang, Jessica (20 March 2018). "LIGHTHOUSE LABS AND KIDS CODE JEUNESSE LAUNCH PROGRAM TO HELP TEACHERS LEARN TO CODE". Betakit. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. ^ Saint-Amant-Ringuette, Alexane (20 March 2018). "Code Create Educate: Inspire the Next Generation of Creators Starts in the Classroom". École Branchée.