Sky Technology, in partnership with DYW West Lothian, dressCode and Digital Xtra Fund, have created a suite of online tutorials to help school pupils achieve a basic knowledge of coding in less than an hour. The tutorials can be viewed here.
Shona Finlayson, Software Engineering Team Lead at Sky Technology, explains why this virtual learning opportunity for schools has been created: “We recognise our commitment to our wider local community and - in the absence of being able to do school visits - we are delighted to help prepare young people for the world of work using videos. In some ways, this gives us a unique opportunity to give young people a chance to engage with coding and IT careers which could provide them with new ideas for their future, and our talent pool of the future.” Toni Scullion of dressCode- a charity founded with the aim of closing the gender gap in Computing Science - explains the importance of the IT industry engaging with education: “What makes projects like this so special is that they provide a gateway for pupils who otherwise would not have the chance to explore the Computing Science in school. Hearing from industry experts is also crucial! Not only does it highlight amazing opportunities in Scotland's tech industry, it also shows real people, real role models who are excited to be working in tech and this makes the idea more tangible and realistic to young people. Scotland has a booming tech industry with incredible possibilities in all areas of Computing Science such as Cyber Security, Data Science, Graphic Design and Software Development, so projects like this are really important to help bridge the gap between industry and education. It helps ignite excitement, wonder and enthusiasm for the subject in young people to ultimately help inspire the next generation of Scottish Computer Scientists! " Working with either a physical micro:bit -provided by Digital Xtra Fund- or using a virtual equivalent, pupils are supported in their coding journey with step by step instructions from an industry expert at Sky. Kraig T Brown, Partnerships Development Manager at Digital Xtra Fund, tells us more about the micro:bit and why it is key to learning how to code: “The micro:bit is a brilliant piece of hardware; it’s easy to learn, versatile and small. These are all key qualities as we look to increasingly engage with young people and their families from home. Digital Xtra Fund is pleased to be working with our partner Sky as well as DYW West Lothian and dressCode.org to put micro:bits in the hands of local young people and help build their skills and confidence with digital technologies.” In addition to the tutorials, pupils also have the opportunity to watch a series of videos made by staff at Sky, covering topics such as what it's like working at Sky Technology and the variety of pathways there are for young people when starting a career in IT. One of the schools that has benefited from the micro:bit coding tutorials is Livingston Village Primary. Lesley Fraser, Principal Teacher (Acting), tells us more about their experience: “The children were all delighted to receive a micro:bit to work with alongside the tutorials. These tutorials and the associated learning involve children in understanding and analysing computer technology and the opportunity to design, build and test computing solutions. The tutorials enable learners to make links between these skills and future career options. They are clear and easy to follow and allow the children to progress at a pace suitable for them. Our learners are looking forward to getting creative with their micro:bits”. If you would like to explore the ways in which your business can offer young people the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge, DYW West Lothian would love to hear from you. Please contact: arlene.nicol@dyw-wl.com
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 Calling all young people, parents, guardians and educators!
Introducing Skills Miner, the custom Minecraft levels that will take players on a journey through an electric vehicle plant to solve puzzles and problems and discover their engineering skillset. Colliding gaming and engineering together, Skills Miner is a newly created world, which uncovers, captures and endorses an individual's gaming expertise against engineering skills. Play Skills Miner today and discover what the world of engineering has to offer! #EngineerYourFuture #ElectrifyYourGameplay #Minecraft #SkillsMiner About 'Skills Miner' Minecraft Game - An Enginuity Product Enginuity (formerly Semta) and the Prince’s Trust have created an online game – powered by artificial intelligence – to identify people who have what it takes to power the nation’s economic recovery when the lockdown is lifted. Skills Miner is part of Enginuity’s mission to create skills solutions for individuals, educators and employers to help close the skills gap in the engineering sector. Sophisticated Artificial Intelligence algorithms monitor players’ performance and assess their aptitude for a whole raft of skills – from Observation and Assessment, Resilience, Digital Competency, Problem Solving and Critical Reasoning. Players of the game, which is based on Minecraft and aimed at players of all ages, will be guided to various levels, given assessments of their cerebral and dexterity strengths – then given a call to action to help them make an appropriate move through the gateway from the virtual to the real world. It will help boost neurodiversity and reveal a myriad of vocational pathways to work in the real world. What are the benefits of playing #SkillsMiner?
Play today and discover the limitless career pathways that engineering could open for learners.  TWO PROGRAMMES, ONE BOOK, LOTS OF FUN!
Brought to you by West Lothian Youth Foundation (WLYF), the Score with Maths and Smiley Miler At Home resource pack combines two popular schools programmes to help keep children engaged whilst at home. WLYF understand that this is a difficult time for everybody as we live in these unusual circumstances; these activities and resources have been created with the aim of helping the West Lothian community. Aimed at primary pupils, young people can learn a bit about health, exercise and maths but most importantly we hope they find the book fun! We also encourage adults to get involved as much as possible and make it a family affair. We would love for you to send pictures, videos and feedback of you getting involved. Remember to tag @WLYF4football @DYWWestLothian Click below to start working through the activities!  Between Monday 1st June and Friday 5th June 2020, the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Groups ran an awareness campaign throughout Scotland, to make young people more aware of job roles within key sectors, as well as the skills and qualities required to succeed in these roles. In West Lothian - and across Scotland - we were fortunate to be able to tap in to the energy of key workers to support the campaign and to inspire the next generation. We would like to thank all the #DYWKeyWorkers who took time to share their story!  CASE STUDIESCheck out our #DYWKeyWorkers case studies below! Videos are also available on our YouTube channel - DYW West Lothian. school contributionsJune 1st 2020 heralded the start of the #DYWKeyWorkers social media campaign in Scotland. Primary school pupils were encouraged to take part by thinking about the job roles that have been invaluable in protecting and serving our communities during this challenging time and then either designing their own key worker image or writing a poem. We are delighted that pupils in West Lothian were inspired to get involved and created the amazing drawings and thoughtful poems featured in our highlights video below. A huge well done to all the pupils who took part!  HOW TO GET INVOLVED Step 1 Pledge your support for the campaign, mark Thursday 23rd April 2020 in your diary and let us know that you are taking part. Step 2 On Thursday 23rd April, post a photograph of yourself and your children working at home. Remember and use the hashtag #DYWChildtoWork and tag us using the social media handles in the image above. If you don’t use social media and want to be involved, you can send your photo to anna.ramsay@dyw-wl.com and we will share it on your behalf. We look forward to seeing your posts on Thursday 23rd April. If you have any questions or want to get involved but aren’t sure how, please get in touch by contacting anna.ramsay@dyw-wl.com Thank you! |
