SMART STEM Club - Term 3 2025

Is your child ready for the next step in their coding journey? Perhaps they have moved beyond coding activities at school (eg, Scratch), or have already started experimenting with formal coding language (eg, Python). This Advanced Coding program will give them the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to use technology in the real world.

Using BBC micro:bits - tiny, pocket-sized computer circuits - students will engage in hands-on coding and digital making activities. While the main programming focus will be Python, students will have the option to use Microsoft MakeCode if they prefer to stick with block coding.

Over five weeks, students will:

🔌Learn the basics of electrical circuits and program the micro:bit's LED display
🎵Create a mini device to make micro:bit music
💻Use formal programming language to send commands, receive messages, and include coding loops
🔀Explore coding logic such as "if" statements
📡Build a network of micro:bits to communicate with other students during the workshop

There will be plenty of time for open-ended exploration and collaboration each week, so students can work at their own pace with support from the SMART* Program’s expert educators.

Details

Host: The University of Newcastle's SMART Program

When: 5 consecutive Thursday afternoons (weeks 1-5 of Term 3), with drop-off from 4:15pm:

Thursday 24 July, 2025 | 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Thursday 31st July, 2025 | 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Thursday 7 August, 2025 | 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Thursday 14 August, 2025 | 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Thursday 21 August, 2025 | 4:30pm to 5:45pm

Who: Primary school students in Years 4, 5, and 6

Entry requirements: This program assumes that students are already confident using block coding (eg, Scratch, or our LEGO EV3 programs run previously this year), or have some experience using coding language such as Python. While enrolments from children with no Python experience will still be accepted, please ensure your child feels very confident using block coding, when considering if this is the right program for them.

Location: Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle, NSW Australia (Building location to be advised prior to commencement)

Cost: $150 per student (incl. GST) for the 5 sessions

Payment: Online via Humanitix only.

Contact: Please contact the SMART Program with any questions via 0448 846 261 or smart@newcastle.edu.au

Enrolments

• Limited to 20 students, based on order of registration via Humanitix. A waitlist will be created when all tickets are sold.

• Restricted to primary school or registered homeschool students currently enrolled in Years 4, 5, or 6 who are already confident coders

• Families enrolling 2 or more students are invited to use the discount code FAMILY#25 at checkout and will receive a $25 discount