When?
30.09.2024 – 31.12.2024
More info
leenu.juurola(at)helsinki.fi

Participate in the EU Code Week events in September and October!

The Innokas Network, in collaboration with the Finnish National Agency for Education, challenges teachers, schools, and educational institutions to get excited about programming and computational thinking! The highly popular, free distance lessons continue this fall, offering inspiring and diverse lessons for students of all ages from preschool to secondary education. Additionally, there will be AI-themed virtual coffee sessions for teachers in early childhood education, primary education, and secondary education.

You can also organize your own coding event with your students and add your event to the EUCodeWeek.eu website. On the EU Code Week website, you’ll find tips, materials, and courses for organizing events, as well as the European Commission’s English-language social media channels, where you can follow Code Week activities year-round.

Distance lessons

Register your group or class for the distance lessons on 23.9 by this form (in Finnish/Swedish). A link to the lessons and detailed participation instructions will be sent to registered participants at least one week before the event.

Please note that all distance learning lessons will be hosted in either Finnish or Swedish.

Basic programming for early childhood education without devices (in Finnish)

  • Time: Tue 1.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 4–6-year-olds
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Ulla-Maija Kalliokoski, Saunalahti School, Espoo
  • Description: In this remote lesson, participants will be introduced to programming without the use of devices. The tasks involve practicing giving and following precise instructions. These tasks enhance thinking and problem-solving skills. During the remote lesson, participants will learn the basics of coding in pairs and small groups.

Micro:bit challenges with Python (in Finnish)

  • Time: Tue 1.10, 13:00–14:00
  • Target Group: 7th–9th grade, secondary education
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Perttu Ervelius, Viikin normaalikoulu, Helsinki
  • Description: The lesson will briefly introduce various development platforms such as Micro:bit, Arduino, and Circuit Playground. During the lesson, participants will work with Micro:bits and practice programming them in a text-based programming environment. At the same time, they will explore the features and potential uses of Micro:bit through small challenge tasks. Participation in the lesson does not require Micro:bit devices, but using them is possible. The programming environment is browser-based.

Niilo Napakettu’s new adventures – basic programming in a story hour

    • Time: Wed 2.10, 9:00–10:00
    • Target Group: 5–6-year-olds, 1st–2nd grade
    • Instructor: Innokas trainers Jaana Hekkanen, Minna Kangas, and Marko Kivimäki, Metsokangas school, Oulu
    • Description: In this distance lesson, there will be simple programming games set in a fairy-tale environment. Come listen to the newest story of Niilo Napakettu, who embarked on an adventure during the fall 2023 distance lesson, and experience the events of the story through easy programming games. Through these games, participants will learn the basics of programming. The tasks are different from those in 2023. Participation does not require having attended last year’s lesson, but if you wish, you can read about Niilo’s previous adventure here.

Programming with Scratch junior (in Finnish)

  • Time: Thu 3.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 1st–3rd grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Anu Kahri, Jalavapuisto school, Espoo
  • Description: In this distance lesson, participants will be introduced to the Scratch Junior programming environment through simple exercises. Neither the teacher nor the students need to have any prior knowledge of using Scratch Junior.

Digital art – an introduction to image processing code and image programming

  • Time: Thu 3.10, 13:00–14:00
  • Target Group: 7th–9th grade, secondary education
  • Instructor: Innokas trainers Tero Toivanen, Karhusuo School, Espoo and Ilona Parviainen, City of Espoo
  • Description: In this lesson, participants will learn how to create images, shapes, and animate them. The course uses the open-source Processing program, which is free. The program should be downloaded to your own Windows computer (or Mac/Linux) before the lesson. The program does not collect user data. Programming will be done in a Java-based text programming language. The lesson will progress through ready-made examples, from which participants can make their own experiments and modifications. During the lesson, programming concepts will be taught, and understanding of the programming behind image processing will increase. This lesson is suitable for both producing images on a computer and studying the basics of programming. Participants will learn concepts such as statement, loop, conditional statement, and variable, and will also use random numbers. The lesson will introduce open programming materials for digital art that can be used even after the lesson.

This is how you participate in the Innokas programming and robotics tournament (in Finnish)

  • Time: Fri 4.10, 9.00–10.00
  • Target Group: Early childhood education, preschool and 1st–9th grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Laura Salo, University of Helsinki
  • Description: What is the Innokas programming and robotics tournament and how can you participate? In this remote lesson, we will tell you about the events of the tournament and give instructions on how to prepare for them, and how to participate in the Innokas tournament in Spring 2025 . The distance learning lesson is suitable for everyone who is interested in hearing about the events and the tournament and how these can be part of the activities of schools and clubs.

AI as my assistant: the art of prompting (in Finnish)

  • Time: Mon 7.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 5th–9th grade, secondary education
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Jukka Lehtoranta
  • Description: Do you want to learn how to effectively guide generative or creative AI? This lesson dives into the world of AI models that create images and text (e.g., large language models) from the perspective of quality prompting, which means giving effective instructions to the AI. The lesson involves practical exercises on how to ask AI precise questions to get accurate answers. The session will use platforms that do not require accounts or logging in.

Explore the world of game development (in Finnish)

  • Time: Mon 7.10, 13:00–14:00
  • Target Group: 7th–9th grade, secondary education
  • Instructor: Game development club instructor Perttu Terho
  • Description: In this lesson, participants will delve into game development and its related areas (game engines, programming, graphics, sound, publishing) and brainstorm various game ideas. Finally, they will explore the open Pelikylä learning material, which provides an introduction to the world of game development using the GDevelop game engine. By the end of the lesson, participants will have an understanding of the basics of game development and knowledge of how to get started with game creation using Pelikylä, either independently, in class, or in a club.

Let’s code and bond together in the world of the Woodgrouse game (in Finnish)

  • Time: Tue 8.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 1st–6th grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainers Jaana Hekkanen, Minna Kangas, and Marko Kivimäki, Metsokangas school, Oulu
  • Description: In this distance lesson, participants will explore the Woodgrouse game developed by students of the Metsokangas school, which fosters community spirit. During the lesson, students will have the opportunity to play the game together and solve various engaging and team-building coding tasks. These tasks differ from those in 2023, and participation does not require attending last year’s lesson.

How to start using Scratch for the first time? (in Finnish)

  • Time: Wed 9.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 1st–6th grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Anu Kahri, Jalavapuisto school, Espoo
  • Description: In this distance lesson, participants will start using the Scratch programming environment for the first time and learn the basics. Neither the teacher nor the students need to have any prior knowledge of using Scratch.

Create new things with AI (in Finnish)

  • Time: Fri 11.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: Preschool and 1st–4th grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Jukka Lehtoranta
  • Description: In the “Create New Things with AI” lesson, participants will explore AI as a phenomenon and learn various ways suitable for children to create new things using AI. The lesson will practically introduce different methods to explore the world of AI. Additionally, participants will get to create entirely new things with AI and will also learn about the competition entries from the Innokas tournament’s AI Freestyle event.

Once upon a time… (in Swedish)

  • Time: Mon 30.9, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: Preschool and 1st–2nd grade
  • Instructor: Innokas trainer Mia Skog, Åbo Akademi
  • Description: Join us to solve the mystery together. During this storytime, we will practice analog programming and computational thinking. Prerequisite: Students will solve tasks in groups on paper; no digital equipment is needed in the student groups. Teachers will receive the layout and tasks in advance.

Programming animations with Scratch Jr (in Swedish)

  • Time: Wed 2.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 2nd–4th grade
  • Instructor: Teacher Anna Wulff and her students in grade 4 from Vasa teacher training school
  • Description: Together, we will create animations and practice reverse programming in the Scratch Jr app. Students will work in pairs and need one iPad/Chromebook per pair with the Scratch Jr app installed. Prerequisite: Students should be familiar with using the different blocks in Scratch Jr and be able to create their own backgrounds and characters.

Storytelling with Scratch (in Swedish)

  • Time: Thu 4.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 3rd–6th grade
  • Instructor: Teacher Krista Kaihovirta and her students from Katarinaskolan in Raseborg
  • Description: Create animations and practice problem-solving through programming in Scratch. Students will work in pairs and need a networked computer/iPad/Chromebook. Prerequisite: Students should be able to use Scratch and create sequences with loops, messages, and conditions.

Python programming (in Swedish)

  • Time: Fri 11.10, 9:00–10:00
  • Target Group: 6th–9th grade
  • Instructor: The distance lesson is conducted in collaboration with Skolresurs
  • Description: Together, we design, create, and program a prototype of a smart bracelet in the Microbit-Python editor. Students will work in pairs with their own ICT equipment and internet connection; no other equipment is required. Prerequisite: Students should have programmed a functional program in, for example, Scratch containing loops, conditions, Boolean operators, and variables.

“AI in Education” virtual coffee sessions for teachers

In Finnish

  • Wed 2.10 at 14:30–15:15 (preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers)
  • Thu 10.10 at 15:00–15:45 (middle school and secondary school teachers)

In Swedish:

  • Wed 2.10 at 8:15–9:00 (preschool and primary school teachers for grades 1-6)
  • Thu 10.10 at 15:00–15:45 (grades 7-9 and secondary school teachers)

Welcome to the exciting coding events!

EU Code Week is a grassroots initiative aimed at promoting coding and digital literacy in a fun and engaging way.

@CodeWeekEU #CodeWeekFinland