PROMOTING CODING AND STEM SKILLS THROUGH ROBOTICS: SUPPORTING PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP INCLUSIVE DIGITAL STRATEGIES FOR ALL (CODESKILLS4ROBOTICS) Erasmus Project

Project Title

PROMOTING CODING AND STEM SKILLS THROUGH ROBOTICS: SUPPORTING PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP INCLUSIVE DIGITAL STRATEGIES FOR ALL (CODESKILLS4ROBOTICS)

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Gender equality / equal opportunities; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The digitisation of the economy is one of the most important drivers behind the profound transformation of the labour market. Digitisation is seen to bring transformations in existing jobs, to impact working conditions, whereas it has resulted in an increased demand of digital skills which is expected to continue growing. Digital skills are required in many jobs and have become transversal skills to be acquired from an early age.

The 2015 New priorities ET 2020 emphasise that “knowing how to code is empowering. It allows to understand the digital world we live in and to shape it”. Basic coding skills are essential for accessing the jobs of tomorrow and today …Coding is seen as the red thread that runs through future professions”. Similarly, the 2018 Digital Education Action Plan urges MS to ‘BRING CODING CLASSES TO ALL SCHOOLS ACROSS EUROPE’ (p.9) at an EARLY AGE either ‘AS PART OF EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA OR THROUGH AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES’ (p.8) while ‘encouraging ALL SCHOOLS IN EUROPE to participate in the EU CODE WEEK by collaborating with authorities etc. The promotion of digital acquisition is evident, as MS are encouraged to organise ‘EU-WIDE AWARENESS RAINING CAMPAIGN targeting educators, parents and learners’.

The CODESKILLS4ROBOTICS project joins the efforts of Member States to promote coding and STEM skills in primary schools through robotics while engaging in an effective and innovative way the local community of the school in an attempt to create a holistic approach into dealing with multiplex digital competences.

Based on the above the direct target group is primary school children from 9 to 12 years old who will participate in a coding programme to learn how to code. The indirect target group is primary school teachers whose profiles will be upgraded and strengthened through the professional development programme to acquire the essential digital and coding skills.

The consortium consists of 6 partners from 4 EU countries which cover a wide range of expertise, but with unique characteristics. They are all eager to promote the introduction of coding in primary schools, so that students benefit from the positive aspects early in their life. A geographical balanced representation, as well as representation from different types of organizations to meet the needs of the project, as shown in the distribution of tasks/roles (Research Center, NGO, NPO, HEI, ICT VET Provider, Educational centre) is ensured. All organizations possess the skills and competences required complementing each other.

Various multiplier events will be organized in the school, regional, national and EU level, ranging from INFODAYS, SEMINARS, DEBATES, OPEN CONSULTATIONS, CONFERENCES and events during the CODE WEEK.

It is expected that Coding will help students to learn the importance of clarity of expression, to develop skills such as analytical thinking, logical reasoning problem solving, and creativity, whereas their understanding of maths, science, language, or their ability to learn foreign language or musical instrument will be improved thus meeting MS urge for better learning outcomes (PISA 2013). Schools are key players in introducing programing to students in an engaging way, and helping break down the negative stereotypes around it.

Project Website

http://codeskills4robotics.eu

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 289372,21 Eur

Project Coordinator

NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH “DEMOKRITOS” & Country: EL

Project Partners

• ELLINIKO MESOGEIAKO PANEPISTIMIO
• PERIFERIAKI DIEFTHINSI PROTOVATHMIAS KAI DEFTEROVATHMIAS EKPAIDEFSIS KRITIS
• HÄLSINGLANDS UTBILDNINGSFÖRBUND
• LIFELONG LEARNING PLATFORM
• A & A Emphasys Interactive Solutions Ltd