The 2023 Meet and Code edition has drawn to a close, and we're beaming with pride over the fantastic events hosted by our dedicated non-profits.
#MeetandCode #DigitalSkills #DigitalImpact
27.11.2023
Join us for a journey shared by our team members who have had the privilege of attending several Meet and Code events this year. From robotics and game development to environmental awareness, these events showcased the transformative power of coding, inspiring and empowering young minds.
Nina's Journey:
Barrierefrei kommunizieren! Coding Workshop: Robotics
Under the theme 'Coding Workshop: Robotics' hosted by Barrierefrei kommunizieren! at the Medienkompetenzzentrum Berlin-Mitte in October, this event immersed participants in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence through hands-on activities. Guided by skilled media educators, attendees got to interact with mini robots called Ozobots, programming them by using colour codes. Participants also engaged in a variety of activities from steering mBot robots through courses to creating Lego rovers and developing Bluetooth remote controls.
On the second day, the focus shifted to game development using Scratch, a block-based programming language. Children wrote code for their jump n' run games, designed pixel characters and levels, and concluded the event by testing and playing with their creations.
Reflecting on the event, Nina says, “Seeing curiosity and excitement in the eyes of these youngsters as they brought robots and games to life was truly inspiring. The inclusive approach and collaborative atmosphere made it a memorable journey for those with disabilities into the world of coding.”
Sorora e.V. - Happy Plant. Humidity Monitoring with Arduino
She attended a workshop in Berlin at the beginning of October hosted by Sorora e.V., aimed at girls aged 10 to 12, combining programming skills with environmental care. Using Arduino, a humidity sensor, and an LED display, participants built a prototype allowing a plant to communicate its humidity status through a smile.
“This initiative not only teaches coding but also instils values of care and environmental consciousness, which is truly special. Watching the girls bring a plant to life through code was a testament to the potential for technology to create positive change,” enthuses Nina.
Valentyna’s Experience:
KidsLab - Programmier dein Spiel! Girls Only
Exclusively designed for girls between the ages of 7 and 10, KidsLab encouraged creativity through the development of game ideas, drawing characters, and coding games. With female trainers providing a safe space, the girls eagerly worked on their projects, sharing the final creations online with friends and family.
Speaking about her experience, Valentyna shares, “The time flew by, the girls were very creative and hard-working, and they all wanted to come back and continue working on their own games. Their camaraderie and passion for programming were truly heartwarming.”
Franziska’s Highlights:
Hacker School gGmbH x AWS – Play your game Coding & Fun mit Python
In collaboration with the non-profit organization Hacker School gGmbH, volunteers from Amazon Web Services in Munich introduced participants whose ages spanned from 11 to 18 to the world of Python, the most widely used language in the IT world. Through Python, attendees built their first games, showing off their creativity and individual ideas.
Wirtschaftsschule Seligenthal – Virtuelle Tour Future Engineer
Franziska also visited a Meet and Code event at Wirtschaftsschule der Schulstiftung Seligenthal, where students took part in the virtual Amazon Future Engineer FC tour. This interactive tour provided insights into the technology behind Amazon's fulfilment centres, shining a light on the use of artificial intelligence, career orientation, and real-world applications.
“It's incredible to witness the energy and creativity that youth bring to the coding world. The team spirit that emerged during the Python workshop and the virtual tour's impact on students' perspectives of technology was truly remarkable,” exclaimed Franziska.
Kaja’s story:
Association: I love math – Young Coder
Kaja attended an event by Association: I love math called Young coder where participants created educational games and quizzes using the AppInventor tool. The beginner group created simple applications for learning mathematics and spelling, the intermediate group made an atlas of mushrooms to help them correctly identify the ones that they find during their autumn trips to the forest and the most advanced group developed their own mobile adventure game.
“The main aim of the event was to encourage children to learn programming - after all, every game loved by children had to be programmed by someone at some point. In addition, the children saw how technology could be used to teach subjects in other areas,” explained Kaja. “It was amazing to see such commitment and joy in the children as they learned new skills. I had a lot of fun watching them.”
These experiences not only provide valuable skills but also foster creativity, collaboration, and a passion for technology that will undoubtedly shape the future. As we reflect on this year’s diverse and inspiring events, we eagerly anticipate the continued impact of Meet and Code in 2024. Stay tuned for details!
