It’s such an exciting time of year for Computing and Computer Science. The exams are right around the corner (starting 15th May) and my inbox is flooded with new and old initiatives for the students to take part in. I have a selection of which below for your perusal.

What’s your programming personality?

This is a post by code academy with the aim to match your interests with your Computing career. Start by having a go at this quiz: https://www.codecademy.com/explore/sorting-quiz?utm_campaign=camp~free_welcome_series_v3~prod~Basic~geo~All~aud~Basic_Users~funn~Awareness~msg~Learn_More~cont~CTA_Button~sited~Blank~time~Evergreen~&utm_content=email_3_inactive&utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email

Cyber Explorers

This is an initiative run by HM Government in a hope to get young people interested in a career of cyber security. An exciting set of challenges which could result in a coach to help kick start a cyber security career. More information can be found here: https://www.cyberexplorers.co.uk/

Or speak to Mrs Hadfield to get your account setup.

Apple Apprenticeship Programme

This one has been bought to my attention by Next Tech Girls who ran a truly inspiring careers morning for our year 9 girls and minority genders.

Please see the information they shared below.

We are delighted to share with you an amazing opportunity for your Year 13 (or equivalent) students who are interested in careers in tech: the Apple Apprenticeship Programme 2023. This is a unique chance for them to start their career in software development or DevOps with one of the most prestigious and innovative companies in the world. 

The Apprenticeship Programme will begin in September 2023 and it requires the students to be 18+ and available to work full time. They will receive high-quality training from experienced instructors at Makers coding bootcamp, work on real projects at Apple and earn a competitive salary while they learn (starting at £35k). 

This is a highly rewarding programme that will open many doors for your students in the tech industry. The application deadline is 5th May at 11:59pm, so we encourage you to share this opportunity with your students as soon as possible. 

To help your students learn more about the apprenticeship and how to apply, Makers are hosting an informative and interactive event at their London campus on 3rd May. The event is free but spaces are limited so please advise your students to sign up quickly. At the event, they will meet current and former Apple apprentices and Makers instructors who will share their insights and tips for the application process. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions and network with others. 

Job opportunity information and application: https://hubs.la/Q01MnRyJ0(please be sure to use this exact link when sharing and encourage students to write ‘Next Tech Girls’ when it asks where they heard about the opportunity)

Makers / Apple event RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/makers-x-apple-apprenticeship-launch-tickets-621793239317 

If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your support in empowering more young people (especially girls) to pursue their passion for tech.

We hope you and your students are as excited about this opportunity as we are! 

Team Next Tech Girls 

ChatGPT

This is a really prominent topic in technology news right now. So I wanted to share this interesting blog with you from Teach Computing.

https://blog.teachcomputing.org/chatgpt-blog/

Cyber Explorers

This is a government initiative to get more students cyber aware and consider a career in Cyber Security. Unfortunately we don’t have time in lessons for students to access this in school but highly encourage them to take part as extra curricular.

This is the course: https://www.cyberexplorers.co.uk/

The new missions for it can be explained here : https://www.cyberexplorers.co.uk/knowledge-hub/3810000461597947073

If anyone takes part and wants support please do contact Mrs Hadfield.

GCSE Intervention

With the deadline for the coursework coming up shortly I’ve been asked again when the GCSE Intervention sessions are so thought I would share with all. For both Computer Science and IT there is an afterschool session on Thursdays 3:05-4 in C3 in addition to the lunchtime session on a Tuesday in C3.

The coursework hand in deadline for IT is 31/3/23. At that point work in the accounts will be marked.

The exams for both subjects start on week beginning 15th May so students are actively encouraged to continue with revision homework’s set on Talaxy. Every session complete will make a difference to what they can achieve.

Next Tech Girls event of 2023

Running this event was an absolute pleasure. So many strong female advocates that really inspired and encouraged our students.

The students then took part in a challenge which they passionately puzzled to get a working solution to a real problem. I couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved in such a short time. These girls are ones to watch, the are going to achieve amazing things.

Next Tech Girls event of 2023!

I normally dodge anything aimed at women in Computing as it comes in stereotypical pink and purple completely missing what we are about. I can assure you my interest of coding didn’t come from being able to use a pink keyboard. Then I read this:

Next Tech Girls event 2023 #SMASHTHESTERIOTYPE

and I’m in to know more.

Taken from :https://www.empiric.com/nextechgirls/about-ntg/

The event will be held on Friday 10th March 9-10:20 in C6 via a Teams meet. It is for year 8 and 9 girls (and minority genders) only.

The agenda will include:

• Exercises related to working in the tech industry and a panel Q&A with women in different roles and companies
• The panel discussion will cover the women’s different routes into the industry, what they do day to day, projects they’ve worked on, and the benefits of working in the tech industry
• There will be a way to ask questions. To be confirmed if live or present.

If you would like to get involved please either see Mrs Hadfield or send a message via email or Teams. Let me know your name and form. I will sort the rest.

Next Tech Girls event of 2023!

I normally dodge anything aimed at women in Computing as it comes in stereotypical pink and purple completely missing what we are about. I can assure you my interest of coding didn’t come from being able to use a pink keyboard. Then I read this:

Next Tech Girls event 2023 #SMASHTHESTERIOTYPE

and I’m in to know more.

Taken from :https://www.empiric.com/nextechgirls/about-ntg/

The event will be held on Friday 10th March 9-10:20 in C6 via a Teams meet. It is for year 8 and 9 girls (and minority genders) only.

The agenda will include:

• Exercises related to working in the tech industry and a panel Q&A with women in different roles and companies
• The panel discussion will cover the women’s different routes into the industry, what they do day to day, projects they’ve worked on, and the benefits of working in the tech industry
• There will be a way to ask questions. To be confirmed if live or present.

If you would like to get involved please either see Mrs Hadfield or send a message via email or Teams. Let me know your name and form. I will sort the rest.

Oxford University Computational thinking competition

On Tuesday (year 9) and Wednesday (year 11) I had the pleasure of facilitating the entries into the Oxford University Computational Thinking Competition. The students were phenomenal. The challenges in this competition have a quick spike in difficulty but they didn’t let this put them off. They dedicatedly persevered until the last minute and walked away having given in their very best. I am so very proud and look forward to being able to share with them the results.

GCSE Workshops and resources

In the past Isaac Computer Science have done a wonderful job of supplying resources for Alevel Computer Science students. This year they branched out to include some workshops for GCSE students. These are online 3:30-4, all on a Wednesday. If any students want to access them but can’t get home on time I am more than happy to provide access to computers and headphones (or use my board) in C3. More information and sign up in the links below. Access to the sessions is not possible without signing up:

• 8 February – Searching algorithms — Binary search
• 1 March – Sorting algorithms — Bubble sort
• 22 March – Sorting algorithms — Merge sort

Year 11 revision sessions

The Thursday afterschool revision session has picked up in popularity following the mocks and has already been seen to be making such a difference to some students. It’s Computer Science and ICT combined 3:05-4 in C3. Everybody welcome.

New competition starting – Alan Turing Cryptography competition

This one is aimed at both Maths and Computing students. More information can be found here: https://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/cryptography_competition/

It starts on 16th January with the first challenge being released at 4 O’clock. Any students interested please come along to Code Club in C3 on the either Monday 9th or 16th January to get registered.

Reminder – extra revision and coursework spots

In addition to code club on a Monday lunch time and Computing homework support on a Wednesday lunchtime, I am now able to offer an additional revision session on Thursdays after school in C3. Sessions will run from 3:05 – 4. Any problems that would interfere with attendance please let me know.

Reminder – Oxford University Computational thinking competition

In the last week of term I had the pleasure of sharing with you the success of some students with the Bebras Computational Thinking Competition and the associated invite to take part in the Oxford University Computational thinking competition which will be taking place on 16th January. More information can be found here: https://www.bebras.uk/index.php?action=content&id=42

Students that achieved a place are strongly encouraged to come along to Mondays Code Club to work through some example challenges together and get better prepared.