Enable 50 South London boys to learn programming

In SYLA’s coding club, as we mark the close of another academic year, we’ve no shortage of cause for celebration when we reflect. The past academic year has seen the coding club grow in so many ways. Not just growth of attendees, (although we must say we’re pleased to have nearly doubled the membership since the club’s inception!). Beyond this, there’s been a sharp and authentic growth of interest for coding; and its many guises. Perhaps most crucially still, though, we’ve seen a growth of confidence and competence across our young coders towards an area that for most a year ago, was alien and of limited use.

A year later, SYLA’s young coders have been tickled by Scratch software, and got the last laugh through creating their own games on the platform. They’ve charmed the coding of Python, learning algorithms that led to them creating random generators that predict future dates and even generate compliments. They’ve even impressively consolidated their knowledge to participate in global coding platforms, where they compete with coders of their own age and experience. All in all then, it’s been a year of progress for SYLA’s coders, and on their behalf we thank you for your enduring support in making the foregoing possible, and the likelihood of numerous future successes, greatly enhanced.

As you’ll have noted in the last update, we’ve presented the youngsters the chance to learn about key figures who have influenced coding such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and Tim Berners-Lee, mastermind behind the internet. This exploration would ultimately serve as a primer to the module that we have begun the past few months: HTML. Of course they all use it daily; why then should they not gain an insight into the language of the internet? Truly, HTML has been challenging the YLs’ ability to use the correct syntax in order to satisfy on-screen commands. As with the previous modules, HTML has helped the young coders address problem solving skills, which – after much persistence - they would eventually triumph in to make basic webpages of their own!

The ‘wow!’, and ‘cool’ responses never grow old, and we’re keen to keep the elation going as we enter into another year, and continue to receive great interest in the club. Once again, your generosity is making such confidence possible, so thank you again for your support. Do keep abreast of our club and wider charity at www.syla.org.uk; and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Finally, are you (or is someone you know) willing and able to push the club even further? For the best possible start to next year, we're keen for coding volunteers for a couple of hours a week; or even one-time speakers. Please do get in touch on info@syla.org.uk, or call us on 0207-701-9055, and we'll speak further.

Thank you once more, 

Southside Young Leaders’ Academy

In our last report, we interviewed the Young Leaders and asked them what they would like to do at the Coding Club during the following sessions; they have expressed the desire to meet "people who actually do coding", so when we chatted with Luke and Somir - two coders who set up a school in Bangladesh - at the GlobalGiving AGM, we thought that the boys would love to meet them! Luke and Somir founded the charity Computers Are Free For Everyone in Dhaka. They were so kind as to come to SYLA on their free time, to present the work they do to the boys and offer them a fantastic coding session. With the presentation of the coding school in Bangladesh, the boys realised how useful programming skills can be; they can even improve job opportunities for people living in the poorest areas of the world. Our Young Leaders were very impressed by Luke and Somir's achievements; they built a whole school from scratch and have now enough students to create a second one. Moreover, the boys discovered a new platform, Arduino, and were amazed when they saw that they could turn a light on and off through coding. 

This session made them even more enthusiastic about the Coding Club, and their progress during the last few weeks have been above all expectations. Timothy, Tola and Amari have celebrated the conclusion of Python II, and are now in a position to scaffold the newer members. They have started to work on HTML modules and this increased experience with new products helps to improve problem solving skills, as well as self-confidence. Our Young Coders are now less dependent on their Club Leader and are perfectly able to work with their peers to develop strategies and ascert what methods work best. We can even notice the positive effect of the Coding Club on the newest members. Mishawn, who joined the Club this term, had very low self esteem; with coding, he discovered a new kind of activity, completely different from sport and literacy sessions, and it was a unique opportunity for him to have a fresh start and learn something from the beginning. He realised he could actually progress very quiclky and became much more confident, which is helping him at school and in his everyday life. 

This is the kind of story we are going to multiply now that we have additional equipment and staff to improve the quality of the sessions. We have purshased 13 laptops, and Divanio has started to assist our Leadership Instructor Orrel every Monday, so that more boys can join the club. With you help, we will soon reach our goal: enable 50 South London boys to learn programming! 

Thank you so much for your support so far. As you can see, you are contributing to a life-changing project for many children. You can be as proud as our Young Leaders! 

Links:

• Computers Are Free For Everyone
• Arduino