Programming Class at Bando Kobe Science Museum for Youth: “8×9” Provides Teaching Materials

　On May 27, a trial programming class for the general public using the educational microcomputer board “micro:bit” will begin at the Bando Kobe Science Museum for Youth (7 Minatojima-nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe City) in the 4th floor computer room of the main building.

A scene from the workshop

　The concept of the museum is “touch, create, and connect.” Through hands-on exhibits, workshops, and science classes, visitors can enjoy learning about the wonders of science and the universe through hands-on experience.

　Under the “GIGA School Concept” promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the foundation has been laid to improve the ICT environment in schools and to provide each student with a learning terminal (tablet terminal). The computer room was fully renovated as a “Programming Lab” where students can learn in an advanced and motivating manner.

　The Programming Lab, where visitors can use laptop computers and “MicroBit” programming materials and engage in “creative activities that utilize thinking, judgment, and expression” through programming, will offer computer science-specific workshops (both for outside school learning and for the general public). The full renewal of the school will be a good opportunity for the school to expand the scope of its activities.

　The full renewal of the programming lab will trigger a partnership between the museum and Hack (4 Sakuraguchi-cho, Nada-ku), a company that operates the “Kids Programming School 8×9 (Hack)” (hereafter 8×9), a programming school for children in Kobe City and other locations throughout Japan. The company will provide 8×9’s original teaching materials and educational methods as programming materials for use in the workshop.

　For the past eight years, 8×9 has been led by active engineers, who are involved in the production of teaching materials and workshop supervision based on their knowledge.

　The “micro:bit-based programming class” workshop to be tried this time targets 4th to 6th graders in elementary school. Participants will create a program to light up the micro:bit, which is equipped with various sensors and LED displays, using simple computer operations. Parents and guardians are not allowed to observe.

　Mr. Kotaro Morita, president of the company, said, “To master and create technology, first and foremost, it is important to ‘know’ it. We hope that our educational materials created for the workshop will help people learn while having fun and spark their interest in programming and technology.

　The first part of the workshop will be held from 11:00 to 12:00, and the second part from 13:30 to 14:30. Participation fee is 500 yen. The maximum number of participants is 12 for each session. Applications are available on the museum’s website. Future dates are June 24 and July 25.