{"id":3018,"date":"2025-12-17T10:13:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T10:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/?p=3018"},"modified":"2025-12-17T10:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T10:13:33","slug":"sserc-exciting-computing-science-professional-learning-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/2025\/12\/17\/sserc-exciting-computing-science-professional-learning-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"SSERC &#8211; Exciting Computing Science Professional Learning Opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">We are excited to announce the following Digital Professional Learning (PL) opportunities available from February 2026 that will empower you to bring Computing Science directly into your classroom! Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to act fast. Please see the links below for further information and how to apply for a place:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introducing indi: Accessible &amp; Fun for All Learners \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>(Choose between NEW Saturday course or Monday course)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Sphero indi are extremely accessible robots perfect for introducing Computing Science across Early Years and Primary stages, and help develop confidence for teachers looking to engage with Computing Science and STEM. (Click for\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3F-RQd7anHU\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3F-RQd7anHU\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"2\">Intro Video<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><b>What You&#8217;ll Gain:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>FREE Resources:<\/b>\u00a0You will\u00a0<b>leave the course with a full Sphero indi class pack<\/b>\u00a0(value: \u00a31500) on loan to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Confidence<\/b>\u00a0in using the\u00a0Sphero indi\u00a0through hands-on exploration, and demonstrating how indi\u2019s colour-based programming supports early computational thinking and problem-solving skills.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Ready-to-use lesson ideas and classroom integration strategies<\/b>\u00a0aligned to curriculum outcomes which encourage critical thinking, collaboration and help teachers create engaging STEM experiences for young learners.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Computing Science Understanding:<\/b>\u00a0Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using indi and unplugged methods.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Strategic Impact Opportunity:<\/b>\u00a0Excellent for meeting requirements for your\u00a0<b>School Improvement Plans<\/b>\u00a0and the\u00a0<b>Digital Schools Award.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who should apply?<\/b>\u00a0Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.<\/p>\n<p><b>Saturday 21st February 2026<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"3\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Monday 23rd February 2026<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026-2\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026-2\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"4\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/introducing-indi-loan-kit-feb-2026-2\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Sphero BOLT: A Robotic Sphere With Endless Possibilities<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Sphero BOLT\u00a0is a fully programmable robotic ball designed to bring coding and STEM learning to life. Its numerous advanced sensors, LED matrix, and Bluetooth connectivity enable rich, interactive activities for students and offers support for block- and text-based coding. BOLT empowers learners to explore creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking. (Click for\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=b2Ffu9iG1YQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=b2Ffu9iG1YQ\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"5\">Intro video<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><b>What You&#8217;ll Gain:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>FREE Resources:<\/b>\u00a0You will\u00a0<b>leave the course with 5 Sphero BOLTS<\/b>\u00a0(value: \u00a31000)on loan to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks as well as resources to support the use of these resources.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Confidence<\/b>\u00a0in using BOLT\u2019s advanced features, including sensors, displays, and coding capabilities, while strengthening understanding of block coding and supporting progression in programming skills.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Ready-to-use lesson ideas and classroom integration strategies<\/b>\u00a0aligned to curriculum outcomes which encourage critical thinking, collaboration and help teachers create engaging STEM experiences for all learners.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Computing Science:<\/b>\u00a0Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using Sphero BOLT.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Strategic Impact:<\/b>\u00a0Excellent for meeting requirements for your\u00a0<b>School Improvement Plans<\/b>\u00a0and the\u00a0<b>Digital Schools Award.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who should apply?<\/b>\u00a0Primary teachers, Secondary teachers for BGE, and Digital Lead teachers.<\/p>\n<p><b>Tuesday 3rd March 2026<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/sphero-bolt-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/sphero-bolt-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"6\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/sphero-bolt-loan-kit-march-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Dash &amp; Dot: Engaging Early &amp; Primary Learners\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>(NEW Saturday course)<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Dash &amp; Dot are accessible robots perfect for introducing Computing Science across Early Years and Primary stages, with functionality to support all stages across the nursery and primary settings.<\/p>\n<p><b>What You&#8217;ll Gain:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>FREE Resources:<\/b>\u00a0You will\u00a0<b>leave the course with 2 full Wonder Packs<\/b>\u00a0(value: \u00a3600) to use in your classes or coding clubs for around 16 school weeks as well as access to a loan iPad if necessary.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Computing Science:<\/b>\u00a0Learn all about Computing Science concepts and approaches, as well as how to teach them using Dash &amp; Dot and other methods.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Curriculum Links:<\/b>\u00a0Learn how to link these robots with\u00a0<b>Health and Wellbeing (HWB), Music, Language, and Numeracy.<\/b><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Strategic Impact:<\/b>\u00a0Excellent for meeting requirements for your\u00a0<b>School Improvement Plans<\/b>\u00a0and the\u00a0<b>Digital Schools Award.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who should apply?<\/b>\u00a0Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.<\/p>\n<p><b>Saturday 7th March 2026<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/dash-and-dot-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/dash-and-dot-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"7\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/dash-and-dot-loan-kit-march-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>VEX 123: Scaffold CS Learning from Early to Second Level<\/b><\/p>\n<p>VEX 123 is an innovative and accessible coding robot that can be used to support learners, scaffolding their learning throughout Early Years and Primary settings. Using three methods of coding with VEX 123 \u2013 Touch buttons, the Coder with Coder cards, and the VEXcode 123 app, provides access to various approaches to coding that can be carried out with the 123 Robot. (Click for\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=I_nk7gqjt5k\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=I_nk7gqjt5k\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">Intro video<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><b>What You&#8217;ll Gain:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>FREE Loan Kits:<\/b>\u00a0You will\u00a0<b>leave the course with 1 x VEX 123 class kit on loan<\/b>\u00a0for around 16 school weeks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>An understanding\u00a0<\/b>of how to teach CS concepts and approaches using VEX 123, from Early Years settings through to Second Level, as well as lessons, activities and other resources to support implementation.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Continued support<\/b>\u00a0throughout the loan kit period and beyond via MS Teams.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Opportunity to share<\/b>\u00a0with colleagues in your setting using SSERC resources, and help meet requirements for school improvement plans and digital schools awards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who should apply?<\/b>\u00a0 Primary teachers, Early Years practitioners, and Digital Lead teachers.<\/p>\n<p><b>Tuesday 10th March 2026<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-123-class-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-123-class-loan-kit-march-2026\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"9\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-123-class-loan-kit-march-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>VEX GO: Build, Power and Code Your Way Through STEM Experiences<\/b><\/p>\n<p>VEX GO is an amazing product from VEX Robotics that helps us introduce the world of STEM, robotics and coding to our pupils.\u00a0\u00a0While VEX GO can be used to build, power and code robots, it is also an all round STEM resource which focusses on building models to encourage engagement with Science, Maths and Engineering. (Click for\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hAHQpznnzZE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hAHQpznnzZE\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"10\">Intro video<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><b>What You&#8217;ll Gain:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>FREE Loan Kits:<\/b>\u00a0You will\u00a0<b>leave the course with 1 x VEX GO class kit on loan<\/b>\u00a0for around 16 school weeks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Access to an immense library of resources\u00a0<\/b>to help use VEX GO to teach subjects across the entire curriculum, with a focus on STEM subjects.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>Professional Learning\u00a0<\/b>on how to engage with STEM and Computing Science using this amazing resource, building several models throughout the day and seeing how these link with the supporting resources.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoNormal\"><b>An understanding of CS concepts and approaches\u00a0<\/b>and how to teach them, during our afternoon session on coding, with the VEX GO CodeBase build.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who should apply?<\/b>\u00a0 Primary teachers, Digital Lead teachers and has also been used by Secondary teachers supporting BGE.<\/p>\n<p><b>Friday 27th February 2026:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-go-class-loan-kit-february-2026\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-go-class-loan-kit-february-2026\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"11\">https:\/\/www.sserc.org.uk\/professional-learning\/professional-learning-calendar\/vex-go-class-loan-kit-february-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spaces for these full-day PL sessions are limited. Secure your place now and bring valuable, curriculum-linked robotics into your classroom this term.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Reid at\u00a0<a title=\"mailto:kevin.reid@sserc.scot\" href=\"mailto:kevin.reid@sserc.scot\" data-linkindex=\"12\">kevin.reid@sserc.scot<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are excited to announce the following Digital Professional Learning (PL) opportunities available from February 2026 that will empower you to bring Computing Science directly into your classroom! Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to act fast. Please see the links below for further information and how to apply for a place: Introducing indi: &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9334,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stem"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9334"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3018"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3019,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018\/revisions\/3019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/professionallearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}