New Tech Kids | computer science

15 Oct 2016

Watch out, Silicon Valley. South Korea is coming!

In early October, I was in South Korea to speak at the International Symposium of Science Museums. My subject: NewTechKids and our approach to teaching computer science and computational thinking skills to primary school-aged children. I joined representatives from some of the world's leading science museums, including the Smithsonian, the Getty Museum, Science Center Singapore and the National Science Museum of Korea. We discussed the social responsibility of science museums and the important role that

14 Oct 2016

New 21st Century Skills Club

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is pleased to announce that we have established a new 21st Century Skills Club at Nelson Mandela School in Amsterdam East. We're teaching computer science to kids in the school's AMOS UnIQ program for gifted children for the 2016-2017 school year. Our Club will cover computational thinking, algorithmic thinking, programming, systems thinking and technological literacy. We look forward to exposing kids to a new way of thinking that they can use to understand how and why technology works and to start

29 Aug 2016

New Lessons on Smart Energy Systems

By NewTechKids

Last week, we engaged our students in some serious challenge-based learning in order to understand systems thinking and how computers are embedded into all kinds of systems. We challenged the 7-12 year old kids in our 'Computers and How They Work' summer bootcamp to work in teams to design and program a smart energy system which could respond to different temperatures and activate a heating system when the room temperature dropped. In the process, they learned about conditionals and if-else statements.

26 Aug 2016

Bringing Tech Ed to All Children

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is on a mission to bring technology education to all children, including those who belong to families with low incomes who would not normally receive it. Kids with potential are everywhere and our goal is to find and nurture them. In September 2016, we will teach pilot programs developed by Stichting NewTechKids which establishes new computer science clubs for primary school aged students in two of Amsterdam's most economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods: Amsterdam South East and Amsterdam New

24 Aug 2016

NewTechKids heading to South Korea

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is heading to South Korea in early October to give a talk at the International Symposium of Science Museums 2016. Organised by the National Science Museum of Korea, the event focuses on sharing creative and inspiring ideas from around the world which aim to develop better science museums and centers in the future, engage the public in diverse themes of science and technology, and facilitate STEM activities in informal settings. Deborah Carter, one of our co-founders,

16 Jul 2016

Tech Education: continuing from Primary to Middle School

By NewTechKids

There are few things as wonderful as impacting a child's interests and learning. Even in a small way. This week, NewTechKids received some great news. One of our very first students was accepted into the Metis Montessori Lyceum, the first high school in the Netherlands to offer an intensive programming stream for 12 year olds starting in Fall 2016. Students in this stream will receive five hours of schooling in programming, robotics, computers, game and

13 Jul 2016

Teaching New 21st Century Skills Clubs

By NewTechKids

In September 2016, NewTechKids will begin teaching a new, after-school club format called the 21st Century Skills Club. Two Clubs will launch in Amsterdam South East and Amsterdam New West. The format was developed by Stichting NewTechKids, a non-profit foundation which develops, tests and improves computer science curriculum, lessons and teaching materials and trains primary school teachers. NewTechKids is teaching the Clubs on behalf of Stichting NewTechKids. The Club will feature weekly, three-hour lessons. During the Club, primary school-aged children will learn about computer science

Bring NewTechKids to Your School

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is gearing up for our Fall activities and we want to hear from schools which are interested in our computer science and 21st century skills programs. We teach primary school children (4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years) fundamental computer science and programming concepts which underlie all devices, programming languages, apps and technology. Here's how schools can partner with NewTechKids to bring computer science education to their students: hire NewTechKids teachers to teach computer science and programming

5 Jun 2016

NewTechKids Summer 2016 Bootcamps

By NewTechKids

While children should rest and have fun during the summer, it's also important to keep them engaged in learning while they are out of school. NewTechKids has developed a series of bootcamps for children ages 7-9 and 10-12 years which will expose them to computer science education in a fun, interactive way while helping them strengthen their thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills. The bootcamps will take place at Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA)/Amsterdam Municipal Library, Oosterdokskade 143, Amsterdam

8 Apr 2016

Teacher Training Program: May 2016

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is organizing a special five-week teacher training pilot program which will prepare primary school teachers to introduce computer science and coding concepts to students in groups 1-8 (ages 4-12). The program will be taught in the context of 21st century skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and collaboration. The program takes place from May 11 - June 8, 2016 in Amsterdam. NewTechKids is partnering with the Amsterdam Municipal Library (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) to host the