It's hard to help kids understand what AI is, how it works, and how computer "intelligence" is far from perfect. That's why NewTechKids is devoting more time to developing an AI curriculum for older primary school students. We're not only teaching them how the tech behind AI works, we're also teaching them to think critically about the pros, cons and implications of tech. (Should AI companies pay artist if work is generated from an artist's
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For the first time in our history, the bulk of our clients are primary schools! And this is a good thing. Schools are waking up to the fact that a good education which prepares kids for the future includes basic computer science (and computational thinking) and digital literacy to foster critical thinking skills about technology and its influence on our lives. NewTechKids is teaching tech programs during school hours and as after-school programs on site.
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It's hard to believe but we're 10 years old! From our scrappy beginnings in Fall 2014 teaching in a co-working space, we've taught thousands of primary, middle and high school kids in Amsterdam, other Dutch cities and in places like Dubai and Switzerland about computer science and digital literacy. We've also trained hundreds of primary school teachers on how to introduce technology education in their classrooms. Our very first students are now finishing high school
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This past week, NewTechKids taught a class about interactivity. Students created interactive systems using the Makey Makey learning tool. This meant that the students had Internet access and had to navigate to Makey Makey's Web site to access the coding apps. Unfortunately, one student figured out a way to play games without coding the Makey Makey microcomputer. We observed a physical shift in him during which he went from being immersed in the Makey Makey
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NewTechKids is returning to Wereldwijs primary school in Amsterdam southeast for the third year in a row. We'll be teaching digital literacy programs to all classes in the entire school over the 2024-2025 school year. We'll be teaching an 'Intro to Technology and Responsible Usage' to the youngest students which covers topics such as online safety, responsible usage, being creative with tech (not only passive consumption) and coding. Our teaching team is testing the limits
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If it were up to students at the 7e Montessori School in Amsterdam, robot manufacturers and AI engineers would be in the hot seat if the robots they used to produce food made people sick. On June 28th, NewTechKids taught a special robotics and coding and robotics workshop to help celebrate the end of the school year. Students ages 9-12 discussed the key role that the Netherlands plays in global food production and then designed, built
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A large part of NewTechKids' digital literacy programs focus on helping kids understand how to use the Internet and social wisely: staying safe online, only sharing appropriate information, protecting their privacy, knowing what to do when uncomfortable scenarios arise. A few weeks back, we started the third block in a series of programs for all classes at an Amsterdam primary school. This time around, we are teaching five classes in both group 3 (approx. ages
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A month ago, NewTechKids received a phone call out of the blue from one of the founders of the Drarija Taalclub, an organization dedicated to providing after-school activities for Moroccan children in Amsterdam West. Operated out of MAQAM, a Moroccan cultural centre in Amsterdam New West, the club's goal is to offer activities such as cooking, mathematics and singing in the Moroccan language to instil cultural pride and connect Dutch-born kids with the culture of
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There's something about hackers which makes kids sit up and become interested in learning about technology. Since mid-November, NewTechKids has been teaching a digital literacy course for all group 5 and 6 students (approx. ages 9-10) at Wereldwijs Primary School in Amsterdam Southeast. Under the theme of hacker training, students are learning about digital literacy and acquiring important critical thinking, problem-solving and tech skills. Our customized curriculum covers topics such as online safety and digital
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NewTechKids is excited to start our next batch of workshops and bootcamps in early 2024. We're teaching workshops and bootcamps for kids ages 7-9 at the Amsterdam Public Library's Roelof Hartplein branch in Amsterdam Zuid. These introductory camps are ideal for kids who like LEGO but have never done coding or robotics before. The bootcamps for kids ages 8-12 taught at the Amsterdam Public Library near Centraal Station (OBA Centraal) are ideal for older children
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