This week is National Coding Week – and it couldn’t be better timing for TASK. As its presence in Primary Schools continues to rise, TASK’s introduction to coding is helping pupils and teachers to embrace STEM in the classroom.
But let’s rewind – what exactly is TASK?
TASK is the UK’s first air quality activity kit designed just for kids. Pioneered Vindico’s Director of R&D, and UK air quality expert, Professor Paul Lewis, TASK is a science lab in a box that covers all areas of the curriculum in England and Wales.
With a focus on learning by doing, TASK’s interactive experiences help raise awareness of air pollution in a way that’s easy to understand, measure, and report.
It covers all six key areas of learning and experience in the Welsh curriculum, and supports numerous programmes of study in the UK curriculum.
But back to coding.
TASK’s drag-and-drop coding is the ideal introduction to computer coding and logic – and it’s been designed especially for key stage 1 and 2 (years 5 and 6).
Once the air quality sensors are attached and operating, pupils can create alerts and triggers when different levels are exceeded. Imagine an alarm sounding when air quality drops, or a class becomes too rowdy!
Beyond building the sensor, pupils use the same intuitive tool to create live dashboards (outputting via HDMI) with the same drag-and-drop interface.
In fact, it uses the same methods and tools that create live sensor-based automation platforms in industry and construction.
Pretty nifty, right?
And the learning doesn’t stop there. When kids learn to code, they gain tons of other skills too. Coding helps primary school pupils to build their digital skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and teamworking skills. It also gives creative skills, too.
TASK’s platform has also been designed to make sure knowledge is transferable to higher learning and activities beyond the classroom.
If your classroom is new to coding and want to give it a go, you can find out more about TASK’s benefits here.
