A plan for coding and robotics in Queensland state schools
Our world is changing more rapidly than at any other time with the influence of technology spreading to touch every aspect of our lives. Queensland children and young people are ready to engage in this exciting future.
Through learning coding and robotics, we will prepare students for the jobs of the future and develop their skills in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and innovation.
Premier’s Coding Challenge #cybersafeqld
Open to all Queensland students, the
Premier's Coding Challenge is an annual statewide initiative for state and non-state and home-educated students from Year 3 to Year 10. The coding challenge offers great prizes and an excellent opportunity for students to code an interactive and innovative digital solution to raise awareness of cyber safety and help Queenslanders by providing tips to improve their cyber safety.
2019 winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 The Premier’s Coding Challenge. The winners were announced by the Minister for Education on 13 November 2019.
Years 3 and 4—Scratch/Tynker
- Individual category
- Nelson Smith, Springfield Central State School
- Pairs category
- Jordan Ramos and Olivia Knight, Walkerston State School
Years 3 and 4—Other
- Individual category
- Luis Satrustegui, Samford State School
- Pairs category
- Philip Kienast and Harper Wohlsen, Samford State School
Years 5 and 6—Scratch/Tynker
- Individual category
- Raphael Moratalla, St Edward the Confessor Catholic Primary School—Daisy Hill
- Pairs category
- Hannah Jeavons and Sara Alfadil, St Anthony's School—Kedron
Years 5 and 6—Other
- Individual category
- Indianna Kowalczyk, Cooran State School
- Pairs category
- Bethel Habte and Eslie Goka-Sedzi, Good News Lutheran School—Middle Park
Years 7 and 8—Python/JavaScript/HTML
- Individual category
- William Broadhurst, Ferny Grove State High School
- Pairs category
- Jemma Reeves and Abbie Richardson, Mansfield State High School
Years 7 and 8—Other
- Individual category
- Blair Mackenzie, Varsity College
- Pairs category
- Suhani Goel and Alexandra Davis, Somerville House—South Brisbane
Years 9 and 10—Python/JavaScript/HTML
- Individual category
- Corey McCormick, North Lakes State College
- Pairs category
- Ethan Ngyuen and Lillianna Alas, St John's Anglican College—Forest Lake
Years 9 and 10—Other
- Individual category
- Zachary Fenwick, Capalaba State College
- Pairs category
- Dylan-Lee Voss and Sahil Chand, Redbank Plains State High School
Next wave—advancing education
Schools are already resourcing technology labs, investing in the skills of their teachers and engaging students in learning using the technologies of coding and robotics. The next wave is about developing every student's digital literacy, skilling young coders, nurturing young innovators and creating young entrepreneurs.
Highlights
To learn more about our #codingcounts initiatives in Queensland state schools, view the
#codingcounts animation and
#codingcounts supporting plan (PDF, 579KB).
Next gen collaboration
Extending partnerships with industry, universities and researchers to harness the creativity of the technology community and connect students and schools with cutting edge innovation.
Start-up the Queensland Coding Academy
Providing hands-on learning opportunities for students and teachers, creating virtual classrooms of coding excellence, supporting innovation in teaching, linking students to the real world of work and research.
Fast-track digital technologies
Developing every student's digital literacy with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies in state schools from Prep to Year 10, with teachers supported through professional development, practical teaching resources, online communities of excellence and scholarships.
Incubate the entrepreneurs of tomorrow
Sparking the imagination and passion of students by providing opportunities for young Queensland entrepreneurs to work with industry to shape their ideas, and develop business plans to solve real world challenges.
Ideas into action
We have already begun putting some of these ideas into action...
Robotics in schools
Oakleigh State School engages students to learn through the innovative use of technology. Recent classroom learning experiences have included making green screen movies to create a weather forecast, using Minecraft EDU to bring story characters to life, developing coding skills to understand mathematics concepts and creating digital designs with 3D printing. The Oakleigh innovators of tomorrow also work with 'Little Bits' (electronic building blocks), robots coded with colour and stop motion animation stations available during their lunchtimes.
Learning through collaboration
At Tallebudgera State School, students, teachers and parents work together to use digital technologies to answer questions or solve real world problems. In doing so, students learn the intricacies of coding, computational thinking, problem solving and how to work with others to create digital solutions. Students use Scratch, Minecraft, online LEGO-building programs and HTML in their technological investigations.
Recognising the importance of STEM
In 2015 a senior robotics team from Kedron State High School competed in the Foundation for Inspiring and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) World Championships in the USA, after winning the national championships in Sydney. Students at the school participated in two FIRST programs, which cater for students of different ages. Each program has its own robot and competition structure. Engineering and construction company Bechtel is a major sponsor of the successful robotics team. Such partnerships with industry continue to provide students with opportunities to see examples of the real world importance of STEM and partnerships between schools and industry.