In the premises of our partner IT and bilingual grammar school in Košice, 8 elementary schools from the Košice region met to participate in the first year of the IT competition called Explore the World with Micro:bit.
9. March 2023
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Reading time: 4 min.
In the premises of our partner IT and bilingual grammar school in Košice, 8 elementary schools from the Košice region met to participate in the first year of the IT competition called Explore the World with Micro:bit.
Almost 30 IT and technology enthusiasts aged 11-13 decided to compare their skills and knowledge in programming and working with Micro:bits. It was not a competition between individuals, but quite the opposite. Each primary school entered a team of 2 – 3 members who had to tackle challenges of different levels. It was not only knowledge but also teamwork that made the difference.
Takmer 30 nadšencov pre IT a technológie na jednom mieste vo veku 11 – 13 rokov sa rozhodlo porovnať si svoje schopnosti a znalosti v programovaní a s prácou s Micro:bitmi. Nebola to súťaž jednotlivcov, ale práve naopak. Každá základná škola prihlásila 2 – 3 členný tím, ktorý sa musel popasovať s úlohami rôznej úrovne. Nerozhodovali len vedomosti, ale aj tímová práca.
Micro:bit is a programmable microcomputer, so it is an ideal and practical tool for teaching programming in primary and secondary schools, because pupils can try programming in different languages such as javascript, python and C++. The device also has programmable buttons, input and output ports, a sensor to measure heat and light intensity. Thanks to this equipment, it is also possible to use micro:bits to program mini cars and various dancing robots. As the competition was aimed at primary schools, throughout the competition the pupils worked in the MakeCode block editor, which is an ideal tool for understanding the basics of programming.
All the competitors met in the gym, where they were welcomed by Mgr. Andrea Hricová, deputy headmistress of the school and representatives of our company. As the program was packed, there was no time for long speeches and we immediately moved on to the first part of the competition, namely a practical 60-minute workshop, where the computer science teachers gave basic instructions and tested the contestants’ knowledge of computer science through various questions and short assignments.
Do you know what is an event in the world of computer science? No? So, the teachers talked about such topics with the pupils. “I was very pleasantly surprised by the knowledge of all the pupils, and if I knew, I would certainly prepare more difficult tasks for them. When we prepare the assignments for the second year, we will toughen them up,” said Andrea Hricová, the school’s deputy headmistress, with a smile. After the workshop, the teams took their assignments and started working on them. The competition was divided into two 90-minute blocks and in the first block the pupils had to complete 2 easier tasks and in the second only one, which was more difficult and complex. The day also included a common lunch at the UPJŠ premises so that the pupils could experience the atmosphere of the campus for themselves.
To allow each team to work on their assignments undisturbed, after the workshop the teams moved to the classrooms, where they were already fully engaged in the assignments. The evaluation committee not only evaluated the speed of the assignment, but also the quality of the assignment, as this is very important in the IT world. At 2:45 p.m. sharp, all the competitors gathered back in the gym to see how they had fared. The third place went to the ČSA-čkári team composed of Eva Mižáková, Daniel Danko and Matúš Gabáni from the Primary School Československá armády 15, Moldava nad Bodvou, with 76 points. The second place went to Michal Sabo, Timotej Štefko from St. Cyril and Methodius Primary School, Bernolákova 18, Košice with 77 points. The winners of the competition were Šimon Škombár and Dorian Lovič from Krosnianska 4 Primary School, Košice with 115 points. Congratulations to all winning teams and we wish them much success in the study of information technology.
“When FUTURUM told us that they wanted to organise a competition for primary schools, we didn’t hesitate for a second. You know, we already must get pupils interested in technology in primary schools, so that working in IT is as natural for them as being a doctor or a lawyer is today. IT also needs the best students,” said Matúš Čopík Senior Vice President of CANCOM.
Preparations for the next edition are already underway as the organisers want to make it bigger and better. If you want to learn more about FUTURUM Grammar School, you can find all the necessary information about IT studies on their website.
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At the moment we have completed the first 4 lessons and we are very happy about the interest in the summer school with micro:bit, because the sooner we awaken children’s interest in IT, the greater the chance that they will decide to study and work in this sector.
Reading time: 3 min.
