STEM Starts launches programme to inspire digital confidence in young people
Moray Council’s STEM Starts Centre and Moray Libraries is set to launch Digital Xtra, a new programme of free extracurricular computing science and AI clubs for children and young people across Moray.
The clubs will feature LEGO® Education's new computing science and AI kits, providing hands-on learning experiences that are aligned with the curriculum and introduce children to coding, computational thinking and artificial intelligence. Combining LEGO building with motors, sensors and block-based coding will allow children to create interactive models to explore how AI systems use data, recognise patterns and make decisions.
The first two clubs will run on Thursday 29 October at the STEM Starts Centre in Elgin from 4pm to 5pm for P4-P7 pupils with children required to be accompanied by an adult. The second club will run on the same day at Forres Library from 3:30pm to 4:30pm with no requirement for an adult to be in attendance due to smaller group size.
As part of the wider Code Xtra initiative, the programme will contribute to the establishment of community coding and AI hubs across Scotland, supporting Digital Xtra's goal of inspiring young people to develop critical digital technology skills, and increasing their opportunities to succeed later in life as well as helping grow Scotland's future digital workforce.
Cllr Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, highlighted the benefit of these sessions for young people. “Through the programme, Moray Council will support increased access to digital learning. We hope to encourage creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and participation in computing through engaging and age-appropriate STEM experiences to help build the confidence and skills children and young people need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Kraig Brown, Partnerships & Development Manager for Digital Xtra, said: “For Code Xtra to be successful, it is essential we collaborate with delivery partners who share our commitment to inspire young people to understand and innovate with technology, not simply use it. Moray Council is an ideal partner to host one of the first Code Xtra hubs, building on the strong foundation already established through their STEM Starts and other digital learning programmes. We look forward to working with them to bring coding and AI activities to communities across Moray.”
To find out more or register your interest in the Elgin session, please contact kirsty.dambrosio@moray.gov.uk or Gail.imlach@moray.gov.uk. To book a session at Forres Library, please contact Elgin Library on getdigital@moray.gov.uk or 01343 562603.