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BHS hosts day of computer coding

Sarah Lagan
Updated: Dec 05, 2017 07:00 AM
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From left West Pembroke students Jahmaria Gilbert, Azari Woods Y6 and BHS students Jalea McKenzie and Lily Van de Weg Year 10

Bermuda High School marked the International Hour of Code yesterday with an invitation to schoolgirls to take part in a day of coding.

BHS teamed up with public schools to run their own coding day as part of the worldwide event.

Darren Burchall, head of the IT department at BHS, said: “This event is one that we hope will help generate interest in Bermuda’s schoolchildren to start coding.

“It is part of our promise to do all we can to help bridge the divide between public and private schools and to give staff the opportunity to share resources, complete relevant continuing professional development and network with other teachers.

The Hour of Code is an annual event held at the start of December as part of Computer Science Education Week.

It is designed to let schools put the spotlight on computer science and to give pupils a chance to look at Steam learning opportunities,

Mr Burchall said: “These types of events are very positive and are long overdue. At BHS, we are leading the way on Steam education and are delighted to be able to host events that develop all of Bermuda’s children and those with the noble responsibility of helping them grow and develop into outstanding, well-rounded citizens.”

Cecily Richardson, a science, technology, engineering and maths teacher and reading specialist, brought five pupils from years 3 to 6 at Northlands Primary School in Pembroke.

A further six pupils from years 5 and 6 came with Enid Jacobs, a reading specialist at West Pembroke Primary School, while ten M2 pupils from Dellwood Middle School, also in Pembroke, attended with Tracy Hayward a teacher leader and ICT and business teacher.

The visiting pupils were teamed up with BHS pupils to explore coding programmes Python, HTML and Scratch.

The girls used the programmes to create animated faces and drawings and used the programmes to set up websites, as well as working on other computer coding projects.

Jahmaria Gilbert, a year 6 pupil at West Pembroke, who worked with year 8 BHS pupil Sophia Magnusson, said: “This is fun.”

Her friend Azari Woods, also year 6, worked with BHS pupils Jalea McKenzie and Lily Van de Weg from year 10 to change the colour on their screen using hex colour codes.

The pupils were also given a demonstration of the BUS 3D printer by deputy head of school and head of secondary, Catherine Hollingsworth.

Ms Hollingsworth also presented the pupils with a certificate of completion.

Students with staff and their certificates of completion.
Ava Gibson, 12, of BHS concentrating on her task during the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Students from various public schools head to BHS for an Hour of Coding (Photograh by Blaire Simmons)
Taurie Spencer, 8, of Northlands Primary School is all smiles during the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Camia Matthew, 10, of Northlands Primary School, spending her Birthday at the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Semaj Teixeira, 12, of Dellwood Middle School, learning the finer points of Coding from BHS Student, Katie Gunther, 12, at the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Happy Campers, Xaaxa Green, 10, and Alay Burgess-Rocker, 9, of West Pembroke Primary School are ecstatic to learn coding tips from BHS student, Lily Theriault, 13, at the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
Happy Campers, Xaaxa Green, 10, and Alay Burgess-Rocker, 9, of West Pembroke Primary School are ecstatic to learn coding tips from BHS student, Lily Theriault, 13, at the Hour of Code at BHS (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)