…The Coding Caravan 2024 in South Tongu District
By Deborah OFORI-DARTEY
The impact IIPGH is making with its Coding Caravan initiative was felt during the third Coding Caravan 2024, held on 28th June at Comboni Technical Institute in Sogakope, South Tongu District, Ghana.
Organized by the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) and the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and sponsored by Csquared Ghana – a technology company that helps bring high-quality broadband access to Africa’s major cities, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, the event aimed to ignite a passion for ICT among students and teachers.
Embracing the theme “Breaking Barriers: Coding, Leadership, and Inclusion for All,” this Caravan provided a comprehensive ICT education to over 230 students and 50 teachers.
The day began with an air of excitement as participants eagerly anticipated diving into the world of coding. The agenda was packed with interactive sessions crafted to be educational and engaging, ensuring a memorable experience for all involved.
The event commenced with a grand opening ceremony featuring speeches and engagements from various opinion leaders in the district. Distinguished guests included Mrs. Celestine S.A. Korsi-Agordo, the District Director of Education; Maxwell Lukutor, the Parliamentary candidate for South Tongu Constituency; Harry Peter Agyemang, Principal of Comboni Technical Institute; and several traditional leaders and community representatives. The presence of these dignitaries underscored the importance of the event and the community’s commitment to advancing ICT education.
The Executive Director of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, Mr. David Gowu encouraged the students to take their ICT lessons seriously, emphasizing the crucial role of digital skills in today’s world. The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey echoed this sentiment, urging students to use ICT to solve problems within their communities. The dignitaries’ speeches resonated deeply, inspiring students to embrace the digital skills they were about to learn.
Interactive Sessions and Practical Learning
Following the opening ceremony, students were divided into various classrooms where they engaged in hands-on activities. The sessions were designed to introduce them to the fundamentals of coding and technology.
The session dived into creating animations using Scratch, a visual programming tool developed by MIT. Led by experienced instructors from IIPGH, the session explored the basics of coding, creating interactive stories and animations that brought their ideas to life.
The students were also introduced to 3D printing, a technology that transforms digital designs into physical objects. They learned about the principles of 3D printing and observed a demonstration. They had the opportunity to design and print small objects themselves, providing a tangible outcome to their digital creativity.
Internet of Things (IoT) was another focus. Through this session, students learned about the basics of electronics and programming. They built a functional traffic light system, combining coding, smart computing, and problem-solving skills. These hands-on activities captivated the participants and reinforced their newly acquired skills, demonstrating real-world applications of the concepts they learned.
Student Engagement and Competition
The excitement throughout the program peaked when the students were engaged in a brief competition to test their understanding of the concepts taught. Out of six students, two (one girl and one boy) competed for the final prize: a laptop to be donated to the winning student’s school. The competition was fierce, and in the end, Gifty Okronipa, a basic 9 student of Sogakope DA Basic C, emerged victorious.
The screams of excitement that erupted from fellow students and others rooting for her were heartwarming. The hope and joy on the faces of the children were unforgettable, reflecting the impact of the day’s activities. The winning student received the award on behalf of her school, symbolizing the potential and promise that ICT education holds for these young minds.
Impact and Future Plans
The Coding Caravan 2024 in South Tongu District was a resounding success. The event not only sparked a passion for coding among students but also provided teachers with valuable resources to continue teaching ICT concepts in their schools.
Feedback from students and teachers highlighted the event’s success. Students expressed excitement about the interactive lessons and the new skills they acquired. Teachers appreciated the opportunity to enhance their ICT knowledge and the interactive sessions provided by IIPGH tutors.
However, the event also highlighted the need for more resources. The initial plan was to engage 200 students, but the overwhelming interest saw over 230 students participating. This underscored the need for more equipment, such as functional computers and additional IoT kits, to ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn and participate fully.
IIPGH and GCT hope to donate more computers to schools to aid in the continuous learning of practical ICT lessons. The organizers are calling for assistance from Corporate Ghana, government agencies, and the international community. Companies can engage IIPGH to help organize practical coding sessions in various communities as part of their CSR initiatives. Support from these entities will enable the expansion of this impactful program, ensuring that more students across Ghana are equipped with the digital skills needed for the future.
As the Coding Caravan continues its journey across Ghana, events like these will inspire a new generation of tech-savvy individuals ready to tackle future challenges.
The future is bright, and it starts with initiatives like The Coding Caravan.
The Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) is a professional association made up of professionals in various domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practice. Some services offered include Digital Skills Education, ICT Consultancy and Solutions for Business, Curriculum Reviews for Educational Institutions, IT Human Resource Provision, among others. Visit our website – https://iipgh.org/ to learn more.
The writer is the Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana with about 5 years of experience engaging children ages 6 years – 14 years in Creative Coding Experiences.
