The free event, which teaches young people to write software, is held on Saturdays from 9.30-11am and 12-3pm at two locations in NUI Galway:

• DERI Conference Room, NUI Galway
• Labs 102 and 106 in IT Building, NUI Galway.

Those attending should bring lunch, a laptop, and children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.

Web technologies covered include HTML, CSS and Javascript, along with programming languages, such as Scratch. Future classes will also cover other languages such as Python and Java, as well as databases, mobile apps and games.

“We are very excited to have CoderDojo come to Galway,” said Dr Michael Madden, head of Discipline of Information Technology at NUI Galway.

“It is vital for young people to understand how our digital world works, and CoderDojo provides a unique environment to exchange knowledge and learn from each other how to write software, particularly in the absence of a computer science curriculum in secondary schools,” he said.

Adrian Bannon, an organiser of CoderDojo, said:

“Illiteracy of the 21st century will not be those who cannot just read and write but those who cannot program and code. CoderDojo seeks to address this deficit.”

Volunteer mentors sought
CoderDojo at NUI Galway is also supported by the university’s Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI). CKI is looking for volunteers, particularly IT students, who will assist and supervise young people during classes. In recognition of their work, volunteers will be presented with an ALIVE certification.

Brendan Smith, education officer at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) of NUI Galway, said:

“Thankfully, CoderDojo also proves that there is an army of volunteer mentors drawn from the third-level education sector, industry and elsewhere, who are prepared to give their time free of charge to help educate our children in computer coding.”

For further information email coderdojogalway@gmail.com or by visit www.coderdogo.com