Spring ‘25 Half Term Newsletter
Quite a short half term, but loads going on in our clubs!
As always, our Coders have had new technologies to focus on and it’s great to see children explore and develop their coding and computational thinking skills across our wide platform.
This update provides a brief overview on what children have been up to in this first half term. If you’re not sure of the tech focus - please just ask your child or send us an email.
Planned club technologies for the Summer term will be detailed when schools distributes our club details towards the end of this term.
<Think> 3D Design & Printing
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Tinkering, Pattern Seeking
This half term, we've looked at how 3D Printers work and discussed their present and future uses. Coders have explored the powerful TinkerCad software – a 3D Computer aided design (CAD) tool - and started learning the key features and concepts of this software, building characters, manipulating shapes and tinkering with the cutting tool.
After half term, Coders will be focusing on their own 3D prints - exploring more the benefits and limitations of the technology and what makes a successful print. They will also explore how coding can enhance the complexity of 3D Designs.
<Think> Games Creator
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Decomposition, Tinkering, Creativity
Coders have been busy decomposing a digital video game into its main components and creating each element from scratch using Bloxels EDU software. They have looked at gameplay, animation and decoration. Coders have learnt to ‘program’ (configure) each pixel and debug their games as they progress. Children have created fantastic animated characters - both heroes and villians - and shared them in class libraries to use in later games. Fantastic seeing children's creativity!
Next half term, we’ll be focusing on more complex aspects of the game, such as locks/keys and warping, and Coders will be able to share their creations with the world! Some of our clubs will also explore some different digital game platforms which require coding using the Blockly Coding language.
<Think> MicroBits
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Algorithms, Sequencing
Whilst this is always a challenging club, our Coders have done really well this half term, progressing from simple animations, to using variables and conditional statements to create Rock, Paper, Scissor and Magic 8 Ball games.
We have also explored the radio functions on the Bit and children developed and adapted their own Morse Code Communicators.
Next half term, we’ll be exploring how MicroBits can be used to control other devices. Coders will create code so they can be used as controllers in Scratch games that children will create.
<Think> OctoStudio
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Algorithms, Sequencing
While we have been doing ‘one’off’ workshops with this software, this has been our first dedicated club to this MIT Studio created software, specifically for mobile devices.
We’ve been so pleased that children have been super engaged and created some amazing games already using the camera, sound, and tilt functions.
Having explored the more basic functionality, we’ve been exploring how Conditional Statements can improve gameplay and children have been creating Variables for score, timers, and keeping track of high scores! Loads of fun and loads of fun challenges ahead after half term!
<Think> Robotics
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Algorithms, Sequencing
Coders have been fantastic learning about the amazing Ozobot and how it can be programmed to complete different challenges.
Deciphering code, sequencing algorithms and finding patterns, Coders have been using a colour-based coding language to conquer mazes and problem solve.
Clubs have just started exploring using blockly coding to program our robots and, after half term, this will be the main focus, while also introducing the fantastic Sphero BOLTS.
<Think> Scratch
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Algorithms, Sequencing
For some children, this club has been their first introduction to this amazing software.
This half term, we’ve explored Sprites, backgrounds, events, and variables and children have created some fantastic music bands (… with headphones thankfully!) and a simple game.
After half term, we’ll be exploring how motion cameras can be incorporated into their coding to create games and animations controlled by children’s hands … and faces! `It’s going to be loads of fun!
<Think> Virtual Worlds
Computational thinking focus for half term:
Tinkering, Creativity, Algorithms
Coders have quickly learnt the basics of the CoSpaces Virtual 3D environment. They have explored ways to edit their spaces and have also explored applying physical attributes to virtual objects (masses of fun having a mouse knock over an elephant!). Some classes have started exploring how they can use Blockly Coding to control their own worlds, and this will be a focus for all clubs after half term.
After the break, we’ll also be working towards a fun ‘Easter Egg hunt’ game which coders will be able to share with families and friends at the end of term using QR code stickers.
Easter Code Camp
Our half term Code Camp is now fully booked but, if you are interested, please click on the link below to get on our mailing list for our Easter Camp. Details will be released in the next few weeks.
