The CODE Caribbean computer science programme, spanning two years, endeavours to cultivate creativity and problem-solving skills among 8 to 13-year-old students by nurturing digital literacy and computational thinking through coding exercises. Recognising coding as a cornerstone of modern problem-solving, the program aims to equip students with the ability to dissect complex challenges into manageable steps, fostering innovative thinking and enhancing their overall cognitive abilities. In a concerted effort to realise these objectives, Code.org facilitators organised a comprehensive weeklong training session in August 2023 at the UWI open campus in Belize City, engaging teachers from participating schools.
This training encompassed a diverse array of topics, including micro:bit coding, robotics, and effective teaching methodologies tailored to complement the Code.org curriculum. The program’s pilot phase, initiated in September 2022 with the involvement of 22 primary schools nationwide, served as a foundational step.
Building upon the success and lessons learned from this initial phase, the second phase commenced in September 2023, expanding to encompass a total of 25 schools. Through this progressive expansion and continuous refinement, the CODE Caribbean program endeavours to empower students with invaluable digital skills and computational acumen, laying the groundwork for their success in an increasingly technology-driven world.