Category: Computing Science

curricular area

AI in Schools Week 2025 – Catch Up Resources – CLPL and Live Lessons

Welcome to out Catch Up Gallery of recordings from AI in Schools Week 2025.  You  will find recordings of CLPL sessions and live lessons on this page.

Full resources to support the delivery of the live lessons in class can be found at

Playlist

AI CodeAlong – Control A Fish With Your Voice – Recap

This is a recap for you and your class to follow along to that will show you how to create a voice recognition AI using https://machinelearningforkids.co.uk/ and connect that to a simple Scratch project where you can use your AI to control a fish sprite!

Based on the activity done as part of the code along during AI in Schools Week 2025.

The video takes you through how to build the program.  Pause/rewind as you need!

YouTube player

 

Resources

This project is based on the excellent Fish Food project from Raspberry Pi Foundation.  Just one of many AI based coding projects for you to discover!

Download Fish Food PDF Instructions

Check out the full set of AI Raspberry Pi Foundation resources here:

Machine Learning With Scratch Activities

AI Toolkit: Explore a selection of AI and Machine Learning platforms

 

 

Scratch CodeAlong: Build A Language Translator – Recap

This is a recap for you and your class to follow along to that will show you how to create a multi-language translator tool in Scratch! Based on the activity done as part of the code along during AI in Schools Week 2025.

The video takes you through how to build the program that asks the user to enter a word or phrase in English and it will translate it into a language of your choice.  It will also speak the translation back to you!

We will then expand it so it can deal with many languages!

Screenshots from final program

 

 

Full tutorial

YouTube player

 

Full code used for the Cat sprite for those that are interested (the video explains it all!)

And the code for each of the language sprites is below.  Each sprite has the same code, only the name of the language needs to changes

Password Generator – Scratch Code Along Recap and Resources

Cyber Scotland Week 25 – Scratch Code Along Recap and Resources

Create a strong password generator using Scratch as part of Cyber Scotland Week 2025!

In this session, you and your class will learn to use lists and random numbers to generate and store random strong passwords using three random words as advised by the National Cyber Security Centre. 

This Scratch activity is suitable for learners who have some prior experience with Scratch, and likely for learners in P5 or above. 

Resources

Video Tutorial

Use this with your class – feel free to pause when you need to!

YouTube player

image showing different types of code

Code your own computational quiz

Can you beat the quiz?

Got what it takes to beat our Very Computational Christmas Quiz?

20 questions, no time limit.  Try it on your own, as a group or as class!  Let us know how you do @digilearnscot

TRY THE QUIZ

Too easy?  Looking for a different challenge?

Why not try to customise our quiz code with your own questions, colours and images.  Interested?  Follow out tutorial below…

Customise our Quiz with Code

The quiz was built using HTML, CSS and Javascript – key languages of the web!

Take me to the Quiz Editor

You can use our tool to edit your own quiz – follow the instructions below

Instructions

STEP 1: Edit the name of the quiz  and who its by (HTML)

STEP 2: Change the background and the colours (CSS)

STEP 3: Edit and add your own questions (Javascript) and save

Curriculum Review CompSci

Computing Science Review – Workshop 1

Provocations

There were a number of speakers during  the morning session to set the scene and provide stimulus for discussions.

  • You can watch and / or download the presenters slides below.
  • You are may wish to add your thoughts, individually, or from a group perspective to the discussion boards.
  • The purpose of this first session is to identify the WHY and the WHAT of Computing Science.  The key questions asked are

Question Set 1

  • Where are we now?
  • How is Computing Science contributing to the 4 capacities – what is working?

Record feedback on Board 1

Question Set 2

  • Why Computing Science?
  • Looking ahead to 2030, what knowledge, skills and attributes will learners require to realise the ambitions of computing science in education?
  • What are the challenges and opportunities for learners in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attributes you have identified?

Record feedback on Board 2

NOTES
The boards have been set so you can only see your own responses at this time. This is so we can capture independent responses.  However, we will make all the cards public once people have had the chance to contribute.

This session is about the curriculum – as such the focus should be on that as opposed to issues such as DPIAs, tech infrastructure, teacher recruitment.  While these are all issues that are important and require work, it is not the main aim of this session.

Provocations

Andrew Creamer
 

The Curriculum Improvement Cycle

Slides: AC CIC

Karen Meechan
 

Industry Perspective

Slides: NA

Brian Clark
 

Computing Science in Scotland

Slides: CS in Scotland

Iain Shand
 

Computing Science in Further Education

Slides: Overview of Computing in Further Education 26-11-2024

Sue Sentance
 

Computing Science Education – Big Picture

Slides: Computing Science Big Picture Sue Sentance

Quintin Cutts
 

Computing Science: STACS – where are we?

Slides: STACS Where Are We with Computing?

learn to code scratch with jp morgan

Teach the Teacher training – Scratch coding by JP Morgan

What is Teach the Teacher?  

Teach the Teacher is part of the pro bono STEM program offered by JP Morgan. This runs alongside other initiatives to train primary school children to do basic coding in a ‘language’ called Scratch. 

 

What is the learning intention of Teach the Teacher? 

To upscale primary school teachers and to give them the skills (and more importantly the confidence) to be able to run Scratch code club sessions for pupils.  

 

Are there any prerequisites? 
No prior coding knowledge required. 

Access to:  

  • A device that has internet connectivity to run Scratch and access the web resources  
  • A reliable internet connection for video presentation or content sharing (virtual only) 

 

What is the structure of the program?  
There are currently 2 standard offerings available: 

  • Virtual online (6 week block)  – 6 x 1 hour sessions  
  • In-person (3 week block)3 x 2 hour sessions  

 

Benefits  

  • Equips teacher with basic skills required to run code clubs and complete basic Scratch lessons independently  
  • Virtual or on-site  
  • Allows the teacher to share knowledge and train colleagues in the primary school  
  • No experience necessary 

 

If you would like to register your primary school and either of the offered programs then please contact:
jpmc.stem.primary.support@jpmorgan.com 

 

About JP Morgan 

As well as being a global leader in financial services, JP Morgan is one of the world’s biggest technology-driven companies. JP Morgan offer a number of volunteer-led programs to help increase pupils’ interest and knowledge in STEM subjects through basic introduction to coding. 

These sessions are offered virtually and in-person with an ultimate objective to help primary schools to continue their learning journey on these topics after the program is complete.  

The BIG BIG Computing Quiz – Download

Computing Science in Scotland – Update

Over the next few months, we will be hosting a number of events to support Computing Science education in Scotland. These events include

  • Computing Science Week(s)
  • In Person Computing Science Conferences
  • Pilot Review of Computing Science education as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle 
  • Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers
  • Live Lesson Programme

Read on to find out more about each event and how to take part…

Computing Science Week(s)

Now in it’s third year, Computing Science Week is bigger than ever before.  Now spanning over two weeks between 4th and 15th November 2024, we will be hosting a number of live lessons for teachers and learners to take part in during the day followed by professional learning sessions for educators after school.

These two weeks have been broadly arranged into a ‘No Code / Low Code’ week (4-9 Nov) and a Coding week (11-15 Nov)

During the first week, we will be running sessions around computational thinking, data science and tech for connectivity, with a bit of Scratch Jr and Microbit in there!

 

The second week will more focussed on code based activities for different ability groups and will feature sessions using Scratch, Web Development, Swift Playgrounds and AI.

Look out for the full programme of events coming soon!

In Person Computing Science Conference

The 2nd annual computing conference, organised by Education Scotland, is open to all early years practitioners, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers who teach computing.

During this unmissable event, you will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts who will share insights into future career prospects and to attend practical breakout sessions designed to empower you with innovative teaching methods for the classroom,

The conference will be held on Saturday 9th November at 10am simultaneously at the following venues, all with live in person workshops;

  • West College Scotland – Abercorn Building – Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DR
  • West Lothian College – Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP
  • University of Abertay – Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG

When registering, you can choose the nearest venue to you.

The proposed agenda for the day is as follows

  • 9:30am Arrival. Registration and refreshments
  • 9:45am Welcome
  • 10:00am Keynote: Ollie Bray Strategic Director Education Scotland (streamed to all venues)
    11:00am-11:45pm
     Workshop Session 1
  • 11:55pm – 12:40pm Workshop Session 2
  • 12:45pm Lunch (provided)
  • 1:45pm – 2:30pm Workshop Session 3
  • 2:30pm Networking Event

When you complete registration, you will be forwarded to a Microsoft Form to allow you to select the three workshops that best suit your needs from a list and to allow you to select your dietary requirements.

Register for the conference

Computing Science – Pilot Curriculum Review

The 2021 OECD report on Scotland’s curriculum recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of recommendations to ensure that this strength would persist into the future including: “Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review. Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned timeframe and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency”.   
 

In line with this recommendation Education Scotland, along with STACS,  are undertaking a pilot curriculum review of Computing Science.  Education Scotland invites teachers across all sectors (including PTs/FHs, DHTs and HTs), ELC practitioners, local authorities, colleges, universities and other key stakeholders to apply to be part of this workshop. The workshop will take place on the 26th November 2024 from 10am until 3:30pm in Glasgow.

We anticipate high demand for this event and want to ensure that as many sectors, experience and geographic locations are represented. 

It would be useful to seek permission to attend this event prior to completing this form.

Please register your interest here before midnight on Sunday 3rd November 2024.  You will be contacted if you have been allocated a place at this workshop by Friday 8th November 2024.


More information about the curriculum improvement cycle can be found here

Register your interest in the review

Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Spending time with peers discussing your subject is invaluable.  Recently, we were delighted to support and take part in Tech Talks –  a virtual event for design and technology teachers in Scotland.  
The event contained 12 15 minute presentations.  All the presentations were done by Design and Technology teachers (apart from Daydream Believers and a lecturer from Edinburgh University)  Essentially, each gave a 10 minute presentation and 5 mins for questions.

We are keen to host a similar event for Computing Science teachers towards the end of November / beginning of December that focusses on Planning, Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

We are currently gauging interest in this event via poll in Computing Science Glow Team.  All secondary teacher in Scotland who teach Computing can request to join this team. If you are member of this team, please indicate your interest here

Go to Glow Team Poll

Live Lessons supporting Computing Science

Our live lesson programme kicked off again in August this year.  We have been delighted to have a huge numbers of schools and learners join us and our very special presenters for live lessons already!    

woman sitting at a laptop

Our programme continues to evolve and grow so do look out for future sessions you and your learners can take part in!

This Month

Next Month

Later This Year

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

Primary school teachers and pupils across the UK have been taking part in the BBC micro:bit playground survey. An exciting investigation to help children aged 7-11 get to grips with data science and digital skills in a way that relates to their everyday lives.

Students have measured their playground areas, explored temperature differences between natural and synthetic surfaces, tracked how active their break times were, and counted many different types of plants and animals; discovering lots of new things about their playgrounds along the way!

To find out more, visit the BBC micro:bit – the next gen website.

For the full results report click here