Google and Raspberry Pi have this week announced that they will be joining forces to bring 15,000 Raspberry Pi mini PCs to schools throughout the UK.
The announcement was made at Chesterton Community College in Cambridge, where Google’s chairman Eric Schmidt and Raspberry Pi co-founder Eben Upton were giving coding lessons to children.
Revitalizing Computer Science Education
The new initiative by Raspberry Pi and Google aims to help bring back computer programming to schools within the UK. Over the past ten years, the number of students studying computer science in the UK has dropped by 23% at the undergraduate level and by 34% at the graduate level. This decline has raised concerns about the future of the tech industry in the UK, which relies heavily on a steady influx of skilled programmers and computer scientists.
Raspberry Pi co-founder Eben Upton explained:
“We hope that our new partnership with Google will be a significant moment in the development of computing education in the UK,”-“We believe that this can turn around the year-on-year decline in the numbers and skill sets of students applying to read computer science at university.”
The Raspberry Pi, a low-cost, credit-card-sized computer, has been designed to make programming more accessible and engaging for students. By providing these devices to schools, the initiative aims to spark an interest in computer science from a young age, encouraging more students to pursue this field in higher education and beyond.
Supporting Teachers and Students
In addition to providing the Raspberry Pi devices, Google is also sponsoring ICT (Information and Communication Technology) teacher training via a scheme in conjunction with the Teach First charity. This initiative is crucial because effective teaching is fundamental to inspiring and educating the next generation of computer scientists. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the program ensures that students receive high-quality instruction in computer science.
The partnership between Google and Raspberry Pi is not just about providing hardware; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem for computer science education. This includes developing comprehensive curricula, offering professional development for teachers, and creating a community of practice where educators can share resources and best practices.
Moreover, the initiative is expected to have a broader impact on the tech industry in the UK. By increasing the number of students with strong computer science skills, the program aims to address the skills gap that many tech companies face. This, in turn, can drive innovation and economic growth, positioning the UK as a leader in the global tech landscape.
Examples of successful implementations of similar initiatives can be seen in other countries. For instance, Estonia has integrated coding into its national curriculum, resulting in a generation of students who are proficient in programming and digital literacy. The collaboration between Google and Raspberry Pi hopes to replicate such success in the UK, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
It was also announced that Google is sponsoring ICT teacher training via a scheme in conjunction with the Teach First charity. This initiative is crucial because effective teaching is fundamental to inspiring and educating the next generation of computer scientists. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the program ensures that students receive high-quality instruction in computer science.
The partnership between Google and Raspberry Pi represents a significant step forward in revitalizing computer science education in the UK. By providing schools with the necessary tools and resources, and by supporting teachers through professional development, the initiative aims to reverse the decline in computer science enrollment and foster a new generation of skilled programmers and innovators.
Source: BBC
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