New Tech Kids | programming

3 Apr 2018

New Advanced LEGO Mindstorms Bootcamp

LEGO Mindstorms is one of our favourite tools for teaching children ages seven to 12. It is a tangible tool which provides children with a realistic experience of designing, building and programming technology. It also teaches children that hardware and software influence each other and need to work together in order to develop successful technology prototypes. Many of our students say that they first realised the power and fun of computer science after they built their

12 Mar 2018

Arts Weeks 2018

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids has been invited to be one of the workshop organisers for Theo Thijssenschool’s Kunstweken 2018 (Arts Weeks 2018) which runs from March 5 - 16. Theo Thijssenschool is a primary school in Amsterdam. Under the theme ‘Make Your Own City’, students are exploring various themes: What does the ideal city look like? How do students experience their city? What inspires them? What would they like to see changed in their city? Parents and teachers

14 Feb 2018

New online teacher training platform launched

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is proud to announce that our non-profit arm, Stichting NewTechKids (NewTechKids Foundation), has launched a new online teacher training platform for primary school teachers around the world who want to introduce computer science, technological literacy and computational thinking to students ages 4-12. Share to Teach, the online platform, has been developed by Stichting NewTechKids' team of computer science education specialists, teachers and innovation experts especially for teachers. The platform offers a variety of online training

13 Feb 2018

Reflections on IPON 2018

By NewTechKids

Last week, I had the privilege of giving one of the keynote talks at IPON 2018. IPON is the Netherlands’ leading conference/trade show devoted to innovation in education and ICT applications and services. The event showcases teaching methods, learning materials and tools, hardware and software. During my talk, I renewed my call for computer science to become a mandatory subject, starting in primary school and continuing through secondary school. Here are some of my thoughts

9 Feb 2018

Tips for Raising Successful Technologists: Practice Thinking and Creativity Skills

By NewTechKids

Computer science is all around us through our use of technology: systems, devices, software, etc. Unfortunately, we often take technology for granted and don't think about it until it doesn't work or it causes serious headaches. NewTechKids has compiled these three tips to help parents encourage their children to become more aware of the technology around them to think like technologists in creative ways. By discussing technology on a daily basis, parents can start helping

13 Jan 2018

Gearing Up for Primary School Teacher Training Program

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is proud to be supporting our non-profit counterpart, Stichting NewTechKids, to kick off a teacher training program which begins on Wednesday, January 17th. Twenty-five teachers from Dutch and international primary schools in the Netherlands have been carefully vetted and selected to participate in this program aimed at helping schools introduce computer science, technological literacy and computational thinking to their students. Designed for teachers who have never taught technology or coding-related classes before, this training

13 Jan 2018

Tips for Raising Successful Technologists: evaluating schools

By NewTechKids

Primary schools are playing an increasingly important role in providing students with computer science and technological literacy education and computational thinking skills as part of a solid 21st century skills and education strategy. NewTechKids has been visiting a variety of primary schools in the Netherlands and interviewing principals and teachers in advance of our latest teacher training program which begins on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Here are some tips for parents which will help you

6 Dec 2017

NewTechKids Talk at IPON 2018

By NewTechKids

Deborah Carter, NewTechKids’ Co-founder, will give one of the keynote talks at IPON 2018 on February 7th. IPON is the Netherlands’ leading conference/trade show devoted to innovation in education and ICT applications and services. The event showcases teaching methods, learning materials and tools, hardware and software. In 2015, Deborah gave a widely-acclaimed TED talk about the importance of introducing computer science and technology education as mandatory subjects, beginning in primary school. At the time, a documentary

6 Dec 2017

Tips for Raising Successful Technologists: holiday gifts

By NewTechKids

For some, it's the most wonderful time of the year. For parents, the holidays are the ideal time to encourage children to become interested in technology, computer science and programming. NewTechKids has assembled this 2017 Holiday Gift Guide, a list of Web sites which offer recommendations on toys and books related to computer science, programming and STEM for toddlers and primary school-aged children. We've also added a section on experiences, things you can do with

3 Nov 2017

Tips for raising successful technologists: girls

By NewTechKids

Like most technology education academies, NewTechKids struggles to attract equal numbers of girls and boys to our programs. There are a lot of reasons for this. Most of the time, parents don't even present computer science and programming activities as options for their daughters. They conclude that computer science 'isn’t a fit' for their daughters although it's often 'perfect' for their sons. Girls themselves have told us that learning about technology is hard and often