Peter Flemming started a coding club at Greatlakes Library with 14 children aged 8-11 using free curriculum from Code Club. The club uses Scratch, a visual programming language, to introduce coding concepts in a fun way for beginners through drag and drop blocks. While BYOD devices and varying skill levels pose challenges, the club has been successful in sparking the children's interest, with some members starting their own coding clubs and one winning a competition prize.

1. coding @ Greatlakes
Peter Flemming

2. Background
 Worked in IT for over 20 years
 Library Computer Systems
Coordinator at the former Great Lakes
Library Service
 Taught IT at TAFE for 4 years
 Qualifications in computer
programming

3. Experiences
◦ Why Code Club
 Free
 Nationwide network
 100+ hours of free curriculum
 Scratch, HTML & CSS and Python

4. Experiences
◦ Started with 14 children between 8 –
11years old – now have 6.
◦ Up to 3 helpers at the start
◦ 4 – 5 children per helper

5. Experiences
 Scratch is a great way to start
◦ Based on a visual language designed for
kids
◦ Drag and drop blocks of code
◦ Don’t need to worry about syntax
◦ Create, share, remix and collaborate
◦ Kids love it

6. Experiences
 Projector to show work
 Need to complete the projects yourself
 HTML & CSS a great way to introduce
writing code
 Looking at robotics after completing all
the projects

7. Challenges
 BYOD devices
 Internet access - Wi-Fi
 Getting started the first day
 Catering to the different levels
 Where too after this?

8. Challenges

9. Successes
 Filled up first club within 2 weeks
 Some of the club members tried
starting their own code club at school
 A club member went to a school
holiday activity at the Powerhouse
Museum
 A club member entered a Code Club
competition and won a prize
 The fun the kids are having coding