Practice Description

Facilitated informal coding and making with children aged 6-18 years

by Institute of Imagination added on 07 Nov 2019

Brief description:
At the Institute of Imagination (IoI) young people aged 6-18 years can participate in informal learning activities, including coding and making, in a creative way that draws on their imagination. Events are delivered using a range of resources as part of school workshops, family activities, holiday clubs and community events. Session range from a drop-in, where families spend a few hours, to half a day or whole day school visits or holiday club sessions. IoI activities are predominantly free of charge and include sessions that are aimed at young people with special educational needs and those who are home educated.
Photos:
Countries:
(where the practice takes place)
United Kingdom
Cities:
(where the practice takes place)
London
Organization name:
(running the practice)
Institute of Imagination
Organization type:
Nonprofit
Contact person:
Contact email:
(for further information and inquiries)
hello@ioi.london
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/instituteofimagination
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnjIdV0wT-H7eDIbLZMNzw
https://www.instagram.com/instituteofimagination/
Related resources:
(e.g., web site, publications,media)
Participants’ age groups:
6 - 18
Indicative number of participants:
Number independent
Oriented to a specific gender?
No
Frequency:
(for the same group of participants)
Single-occasion
Total duration:
(for the same group of participants)
Half day
Location:
(where the practice takes place)
  • Community lab, FabLab, non-formal learning space, etc.
  • Fair, contest, challenge, conferences, seminars, events, etc.
What are the role(s) of the adult(s) running the practice?
  • Facilitator
During the practice, participants…
  • Make
  • Code
Participants work…
  • Alone
  • In pairs
  • In family groups/with support of family group
    • What type of materials do participants use?
    • Pen and paper
    • Board
    • Manipulatives (blocks, beads, etc.)
    • Craft supplies / Stationery
    • Tablets
    • Robotics
    • Boards / circuits
    Pedagogical approach:
    • Collaborative-learning
    • Discovery-learning
    • Creative thinking
    Social justice/equity approaches:
    • Free events/funding for those from low-income groups
    • Staffing team is diverse and includes people from participants’ communities
    Does the practice have (explicit or implicit) learning objectives?
    		No
    Is the practice (explicitly or implicitly) connected to school curricula?
    		Yes, implicitly
    If connected in any way to school curricula, which subjects are covered?
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Computer science
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Technology
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the engagement / interest of participants with a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory or career?
    		Yes: To encourage engagement with coding and making through using children's imagination.
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the attitude of participants with a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory, or career?
    		Yes: To see coding and making as something that children can enjoy and contribute to.
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the behavior of participants related to a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory, or career?
    		No
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the development / reinforcement / practice of skills of participants?
    		Yes: Creativity, imaginative learning and collaboration.
    Additional notes:
    		Providing opportunities for children to be creative and use their imaginations is a core part of this practice.