With the major easing of Covid-19 rules, we’re looking forward to even more fun techtivities that we can have in May! Whether you’re enjoying as a family or for your tiny techie to have a blast, do remember to keep all masks on indoors.

For May’s #TechFact, did you know that a programming language based entirely around Pikachu sounds exists? “Pikalang” is one of many esoteric programming languages – creations which are not meant for practical use, but for purposes which range from comedy to art.

Image for #TechFact (May Techtivities)
Pikalang is an esoteric programming language (also known as esolang), which is a type of programming language that explores how codes are written but does not actually have any practical uses.

Now that we’re familiar, keep scrolling to discover the techtivities that you and your family can experience this month! ✨


Jewel-rassic Quest

Go on a dinosaur-themed augmented reality (AR) game that brings storytelling to life through digital interactivity. Travel 89 million years back into the Dino-verse to the Cretaceous period with Jewel Changi Airport’s new attraction, the Jewel-rassic Quest. Armed with a TimeLens device, you’ll get to go on an AR Mission, hunt for dino eggs, unlock minigames and do much more around the world-famous airport as a family!

Image of Jewel-rassic Quest for May 2022 Techtivities
Picture Credit: ByKido

Details:
When: Permanent
Where: Jewel Changi Airport
Price: From $22.50
Learn more here.


Apple’s Grow with Creativity for Kids

Yes, we’ve brought up Apple Workshops before – but this time it’s specially for kids. To commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple is collaborating with Superhero Me to bring inclusive arts programmes to their spaces for ages 6 to 15. The artists from GROW will lead sessions and teach creative projects such as animations, stories, songs, games and more using iPads and iPhones in the cosy Apple stores.

Image of Apple's Grow with Creativity for May 2022 Techtivities

Details:
When: 23 April – 28 May 2022
Where: Apple Stores in Singapore
Price: Free
Learn more here.


Future Makers

Got an aspiring engineer in the family? This exhibition is exactly what you need to find out more about this potential occupation. Hear about the noble contributions of engineering to individuals and society and interact with the exhibition. From flying drones and rovers to robots carrying large-format screens and an escape room to test your wits, it is recommended that you spend about an hour on this exhibition at the Science Centre Singapore.

Image of Future Makers for May 2022 Techtivities

Details:
When: Permanent
Where: Science Center Singapore
Price: From $8
Learn more here.

Got more time to spare?
You can also drop by the Brickman Wonders Of The World, a LEGO Brick Exhibition at The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore available until 3 July 2022.


Code Your World with Minecraft

Your child may already be playing Minecraft with their friends, but do they know how to code with it? ⁣⁣⁣Introducing Coding Lab’s latest research area for Advanced Computer Scientists ages 10 to 12: Minecraft: Code Your World!

Our special Minecraft programme jumps straight to advanced coding and uses Code Builder software to teach tiny techies to design their own world and program structures such as the Great Pyramids. Expect a smorgasbord of coding and learning the Coding Lab Way for your little adventurer, with our thoughtfully curated and age-appropriate curriculum.

P21S-MiCr Advanced Computer Scientists: Minecraft: Code Your World banner

Details:
When: 30 May to 24 June 2022
Where: Parkway Parade and Bukit Timah (KAP Mall) only
Price: From $452.34
Sign up here.

Fun Fact:
Our students from Coding Lab Japan participated in the National Microsoft Minecraft Cup conducted in Tokyo, Japan, and won the Best Coding and Most Creative Awards in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Read more about it here!


June Holiday Coding Camps 2022

Coding Lab’s MIT-inspired and award-winning curriculum seeks to instil a passion for coding in every student. With a myriad of exciting courses for Ages 5 to 18, it’s the perfect place for your child to begin their coding journey and get a headstart in life!

This upcoming summer school holidays, come walk through our Coding Lab doors and enter the wide wonderful world of coding. With a curious mind, dedicated educators and stunning workbooks, your child is all set to embark on their exciting coding journey! You can even opt for Online classes anytime. Sign up here or feel free to drop us an email, call us or WhatsApp us to get in touch.

June Summer Holiday Coding Camps 2022 Banner

Details:
When: 30 May – 24 June
Where: Parkway Parade, Bukit Timah (KAP Mall), Seletar Mall, United Square and Online
Price: From $401.52
Sign up here.

Bonus: Stand a chance to win more than $400 worth of prizes!

The secret’s out: we’re expanding our home at Bukit Timah (KAP Mall)! Named after a pioneering MIT researcher and educator in technology and education, our Papert room is the latest extension of Coding Lab – complete with our signature look and feel. We’re talking floor-to-ceiling glass windows, boardroom-style rooms, 65″ flippable state-of-the-art monitor and much more. 

To celebrate this, we’re having a lucky draw! Simply sign up / renew ANY Coding Lab course from 20 April to 5 June 2022 and you will be entered into our lucky draw* to win:

👉 Grand Prize: Gold Class EagleWings Cinematics movie tickets x 1 pair
👉 Other Prizes: LiHO vouchers x 20
👉 EagleWings Cinematics movie tickets x 10 pairs

Sign up for your Coding Lab class now!


Image for #TechNews (May Techtivities 2022)

This month’s #TechNews is about Allie the AI chatbot digital assistant answering visitors’ questions about artefacts in the Asian Civilisations Museum’s Jewellery Gallery virtual exhibition. 🙋

The chatbot was jointly developed by the National Heritage Board (NHB) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and they are looking to bring tech to other local museums soon. 🤖

Experience the AI-guided virtual tour for yourself here!


If you haven’t seen our previous techtivity recommendations, check out our April #TechtivitiesOfTheMonth, which includes more cool, tech-related activities you can do with friends and family!

(Written by Cheryl Tang and Trinh)


Best-in-class Curriculum for Coding

We are honoured to be the winner of multiple awards.
Thank You for your support.

Hop on board the Coding Lab train! Click here to get our monthly newsletters straight to your inbox.

Ages 5-6 | Ages 7-9 | Ages 10-12 | Ages 13-18

Call us at +65 6977 9641
Email us at learntocode@codinglab.com.sg
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For two years in a row, we’re honoured and excited to have the opportunity to impart Python programming and Data Analytics to OCBC Bank’s 100 aspiring young talents. 

Group Photo of OCBC's participants in our 2022 Data Analytics Training Workshop
Our cheery participants from OCBC Bank who attended our Data Analytics Training Workshop in 2022

During the three-day workshops, participants gathered together and had the opportunity to experience our MIT-inspired, award-winning curriculum firsthand from our passionate educators teaching the Coding Lab Way. Specially tailored for corporate business needs, the programme saw close to 50 participants in each workshop utilising their newfound Data Analytics skills to build a multitude of programs, ranging from an analysis on the prices of Commodities, Number of Lots in Car Parks, to Overtime pay across different industries!

Having come from a variety of departments and backgrounds, some participants had experience in coding and some did not. Nevertheless, they breathed life into their ideas with code, coming up with real-world solutions and codes to apply what they’ve learnt in their workshops. Some notable projects include a Housing Pricing trend analysis, Stroke Predictor, Dengue Hotspot app, and even an amazing program that analysed box office blockbuster sales around data set constraints such as piracy prominence and censorship! 

“It was a joy to work with OCBC Bank to teach their young talents to code. The participants were enthusiastic, constantly asking questions, and shared many cool and novel project ideas. At the end of the workshop, I know that many of them enjoyed themselves and we hope that this refreshing experience helped to spark their interest in coding. It is always exciting for us to be able to share, learn and spread the love for coding!”
– Educator Edmund, Team Lead for Teaching Excellence

Teacher Edmund coaching the young and enthusiastic professionals from OCBC
Participants had lots of fun learning at the OCBC Campus in the 3-day workshop in 2021

Coding Lab is honoured to be trusted by OCBC Bank. We know that the skills that they learnt will certainly come in handy in their careers and lives as we move towards the Artificial Intelligence Era. Here’s to nurturing future leaders in technology and wonderful world-changing projects – one coder at a time! 

Read more about Coding Lab’s Corporate Partnerships here.

We’re proud to have also partnered with IMDA and play a supporting role in Singapore’s efforts towards becoming a Smart Nation! Read more here. 

Here at Coding Lab, we nurture future leaders in technology. Our teens (Ages 13-18) build a solid foundation in Python, and then move on to Electives such as Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Game Development, where they move on to craft real-world solutions, preparing them for the future.

(Written by Cheryl Tang)


Best-in-class Curriculum for Coding

We are honoured to be the winner of multiple awards.
Thank You for your support.

Hop on board the Coding Lab train! Click here to get our monthly newsletters straight to your inbox.

Ages 5-6 | Ages 7-9 | Ages 10-12 | Ages 13-18

Call us at +65 6977 9641
Email us at learntocode@codinglab.com.sg
Chat with us via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger

For today’s student feature, we’ve invited two curious coders. Meet Isaac (aged 11) and Alicia Khong (aged 9), who won the Social Impact Award and People’s Choice Award respectively during the International Coding Showcase 2020, and also Judges’ Choice (Most Innovative) and Judges’ Choice (Best Design) respectively during the International Coding Showcase 2021! These clever and articulate siblings began their coding journey one after another, here at Coding Lab. Don’t miss this first-ever double-bill student feature!

Watch the video version of the Khong siblings’ interview here.

Tell us how you first got started with coding. What do you like most about it?

Isaac: When I was young, I often saw my father using the computer in his room. I was curious about what he was doing and asked him. When I found out that he was coding, I asked if I could start it as I was always fascinated by the computer.

I got my first Windows computer when I was in Primary One, and I started learning basic Scratch on my own with a book that my father had bought me. I was fascinated that you could do so many different things with the computer and I wanted to do more. My favourite part about coding is that you can ask the computer to do whatever you want to get a result.

Alicia: My brother started coding, and I felt that it would be interesting, so I followed him and started coding too. I like how it works – if you type something, and if the code is right, then something happens.

Meet the Khong siblings – Alicia (aged 10) and Isaac (aged 12)!

It’s awesome to hear that you were both inspired by family members! How did you decide to begin your coding journey with Coding Lab?

Photo of Alicia coding
Alicia started coding at the age of 7 and gets inspiration for her latest coding projects from her family.

Isaac: I was researching about coding schools when I found Coding Lab. Although I looked through many schools, Coding Lab caught my attention as it offered a huge variety of programming languages and had a structured curriculum.

Alicia: I saw my brother going to Coding Lab, and he said it was fun, so I tried Coding Lab.

 

How has coding made a difference in your life since?

Isaac: I have been coding almost every day and I have started to learn how computers work. Additionally, I have also started to teach coding to my sister. So instead of being just a user of technology, I have learned how to create new technology.

Alicia: It helps me develop a new interest, I can use my free time to make a new animation or platformer on Scratch.

Could you share with us why you think learning to code is so important?

Photo of Isaac coding
Isaac is passionate about harnessing tech to better our future – as can be seen from the projects that he codes!

Alicia: I believe learning to code can help me to organise my thinking.

Isaac: I think coding is important as the world is continuously moving and changing to a more urbanised and high-tech world. In the future, many things would be controlled with computers and computer chips. Learning to code allows me to create technology to contribute to society next time.

 

What are the difficulties you faced while learning to code and how did you overcome them?

Photo of Alicia by the pond
Aside from coding, Alicia is passionate about reading and writing, with a journal collection of her very own stories.

Alicia: While I was learning Scratch, I sometimes had difficulties trying to think of new and interesting project ideas, so I would ask my family members what animations they want to see.

Isaac: Some of the challenges I have faced are syntax errors, methods and functions. When I face these issues, I try my best to look for solutions and voice out for help when needed.

Do you have any advice for young people like you who are beginning their coding journey?

Alicia: When you start to learn coding, it may be quite difficult and challenging, but if you keep trying and learning, you will succeed. You will then have a new way of creating your own projects and ideas.

“Alicia is a studious and brilliant learner who is able to adapt to new areas of knowledge swiftly and effectively. Her ability to do this led to her picking up advanced Scratch skills and even the intricacies of the Micro:Bit hardware in no time. She is always able to understand the concepts taught in class, and is a helpful girl who takes part in class discussions to promote the learning of fellow classmates.”
Educator Hovan

Screenshot of Isaac Khong presenting his FIFA Python program for International Coding Showcase 2021
Isaac is an avid coder and FIFA fanatic (this screenshot shows a snippet of his impressive FIFA Python program!) who enjoys reading books and watching documentaries in his free time.

Isaac: I would encourage young people to learn coding as technology is forming the future like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Blockchain. Start by learning simple programming with blocks and Graphical User Interface (GUI). Some websites and tools you can use to begin your coding journey include Scratch, Lego Mindstorms or Micro:Bit. This enables you to have a strong foundation in coding. You can then continue with App Inventor and Python to enhance your skills. This way, you can learn coding more productively just like how I progressed through the Coding Lab syllabus.

“Isaac is a very responsible and independent student who has shown great understanding in programming. He displays great interest in programming and is very attentive to detail. With a strong and stable foundation in coding, Isaac displays self discipline and great concentration. He shows great enthusiasm towards learning and on many occasions, I have seen him attempting the challenges before the rest and he is helpful and willing to share his knowledge with his classmates.”
Educator Edmund

Click to watch Alicia’s International Coding Showcase 2020’s Scratch project, “Catch the Balloon”, which won her the People’s Choice Award!

View Isaac’s entrepreneurial budgeting Python project (which draws graphs for you) that he submitted for the International Coding Showcase 2020 here!

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Alicia and Isaac. Hearing about your growing passion for coding certainly warms our Educators’ hearts – and our readers’ too!

Until next time – we look forward to your future achievements, Isaac and Alicia!

The Khong siblings’ coding journey is an example of how childhood interest, when nurtured, can blossom into a useful new skill. Through the shared learning experience of coding, their bond has become stronger than ever!

Isaac Khong began his journey at Coding Lab with our App Inventor and Python Junior courses in 2020 – and progressed through our S200 Advanced Electives (for ages 13 to 18) by the time he was 12. Isaac was awarded the Social Impact Award in our International Coding Showcase 2020 and Judges’ Choice (Most Innovative) in our International Coding Showcase 2021.

Alicia Khong’s first coding class was Scratch One in 2020, and she got to hone her coding capabilities in our Young Computer Scientists. She’s now delving into App Inventor! Alicia, 10, was awarded the People’s Choice Award in our International Coding Showcase 2020 and Judges’ Choice (Best Design) in our International Coding Showcase 2021.

Our #CodingLabStudents series features our ambitious students and their ongoing coding journeys – be it the budding coder or advanced Python Pro, we appreciate each and every single one’s efforts as they progress to greater heights. 🌱

Coding Lab offers an award-winning curriculum specially for ages 5 to 18 – check out our courses to begin your own coding journey today!

(Written by Zulaikha and Lixin)


Best-in-class Curriculum for Coding

We are honoured to be the winner of multiple awards.
Thank You for your support.

Hop on board the Coding Lab train! Click here to get our monthly newsletters straight to your inbox.

Ages 5-6 | Ages 7-9 | Ages 10-12 | Ages 13-18

Call us at +65 6977 9641
Email us at learntocode@codinglab.com.sg
Chat with us via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger

Thank you to Mediacorp’s Channel NewsAsia (CNA) and Channel 8 for featuring Coding Lab on the news! Aired in both English and Mandarin respectively, we are honoured to have been a part of this segment on nurturing future leaders in technology in Singapore.

Filmed at our cosy yet conducive campus at Parkway Parade, the feature covered how kids are learning to code at a younger age and how this very skillset will benefit them in the future.

Our Co-Founder and Community Director, Candice Wang, shared with CNA on the coding trends in Singapore, and how Coding Lab is doing our part to ensure that children learn to code.

Watch our full interview and catch Teacher Evan in action with our Young Computer Scientists, where our students Ages 7 to 9 were exploring Music through Coding in class! 

We’re excited to spread the joy of coding and to be able to share our story in the mainstream media. We look forward to more opportunities like this in the future! 🤩

Read The Straits Times Feature: Addressing the Gender Gap in the STEM Sector

Read CGTN Feature: Uptick in women pursuing STEM courses

(Written by Cheryl Tang)


Best-in-class Curriculum for Coding

We are honoured to be the winner of multiple awards.
Thank You for your support.

Hop on board the Coding Lab train! Click here to get our monthly newsletters straight to your inbox.

Ages 5-6 | Ages 7-9 | Ages 10-12 | Ages 13-18

Call us at +65 6977 9641
Email us at learntocode@codinglab.com.sg
Chat with us via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger