National Coding Week is an annual event celebrated in the UK that aims to promote digital literacy and coding skills among people of all ages. The week typically takes place in September and involves a variety of activities and events designed to encourage individuals to learn and engage with coding and computer programming. This year it falls from 18th September – 24th September 2023.
This year’s National Coding Week theme is AI. Artificial Intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, is a field of computer science focused on creating computer systems that can think and learn like humans. These systems use algorithms and data to mimic human cognitive functions, enabling them to solve complex problems, make decisions, understand language and even perceive their surroundings. AI has applications in various industries, from healthcare and finance to autonomous vehicles and virtual assistants, making it a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionise how we live and work.
Here are some common activities that may take place during National Coding Week:
Coding workshops
Organisations, schools and community centres often host coding workshops and classes for beginners and more advanced learners. These workshops may cover programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Scratch or HTML/CSS.
Coding challenges
Coding challenges and competitions are organised to encourage individuals to test and improve their coding skills. These challenges can range from simple coding puzzles to more complex projects.
Online resources
Many online resources, tutorials and coding courses become freely available during National Coding Week. These resources are designed to make it easy for people to start learning how to code from the comfort of their own homes.
School and university activities
Educational institutions often participate in National Coding Week by incorporating coding lessons and activities into their curricula. This helps students develop essential digital skills.
Coding events and hackathons
Tech communities and organisations may host hackathons and coding events during this week. These events encourage participants to collaborate and create software solutions to specific problems.
Coding for all ages
National Coding Week promotes coding for people of all ages, from young children to seniors. The goal is to make coding accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experience.
Outreach and awareness
The week also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of digital literacy and the role coding plays in modern society, including its impact on various industries and careers.
Networking and collaboration
National Coding Week often fosters networking and collaboration among individuals and organisations interested in coding and technology. This can lead to partnerships and initiatives that support ongoing coding education.
The specific events and activities during National Coding Week can vary from year to year and from one region to another, but the overarching goal is to inspire people to engage with coding, enhance their digital skills, and explore opportunities in the tech industry. It’s a valuable initiative for promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and preparing individuals for the digital age.
More information can be found below.
All About Stem | BBC | Teach Computting | Science Oxford |
Read more about AI, STEM and coding here.
