Coding and Computational Thinking for All: From Primary to Secondary School

Screen showing lines of colorful programming code

Unlock computational thinking for all students! This course provides a fun, accessible introduction to coding for teachers of all subjects, from primary to secondary. No prior coding experience is needed. Learn to teach the essential 21st-century skills of creativity and problem-solving.

Description

Demystify coding and bring computational thinking into your classroom. This course is designed for educators with little to no programming experience. We will explore the core concepts of computational thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms. Participants will engage in hands-on activities using visual programming languages (e.g., Scratch, Blockly) suitable for younger students, and get an introduction to text-based coding (e.g., Python) for older ones. The focus is on pedagogical strategies for integrating these skills across the curriculum, from art and storytelling to math and science, fostering creativity and logical reasoning in all students.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define the core principles of computational thinking and explain their importance to colleagues.
  • Use visual programming languages like Scratch to create simple animations and games.
  • Understand basic programming concepts such as loops, variables, and conditionals.
  • Design engaging “unplugged” (computer-free) activities to teach computational thinking.
  • Develop lesson plans that integrate coding and computational thinking into their own subject area.
  • Explore introductory text-based programming concepts and their applications.
  • Foster a classroom environment that encourages experimentation, debugging, and persistence.

Methodology & Assessment

The course uses a hands-on, playful methodology. Learning is driven by a series of coding challenges, “unplugged” group activities, and creative projects. Participants will work individually and in pairs (pair programming) to solve problems and build simple programs. The environment is supportive and collaborative, emphasizing experimentation and learning from mistakes (“debugging”). The final assessment is the creation and presentation of an original “Computational Thinking Lesson Plan” tailored to the participant’s specific subject and grade level, complete with all necessary activities.

Materials, Digital Tools & Other Learning Resources

We will use free, web-based visual programming platforms like Scratch and Blockly, with an introduction to environments for Python. A collection of digital and printable resources for “unplugged” activities will be provided. All software is free and browser-based, requiring no installation. Participants must bring their own laptop to participate in the coding sessions.

Certification Details

Certificates of attendance

Upcoming sessions

Dates Location
28 September – 2 October 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
5–9 October 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
26–30 October 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
2–6 November 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
23–27 November 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
7–11 December 2026 Rome, Italy Enroll
25–29 January 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
1–5 February 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
22–26 February 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
1–5 March 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
22–26 March 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
5–9 April 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
26–30 April 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
3–7 May 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
24–28 May 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
7–11 June 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
28 June – 2 July 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
5–9 July 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
26–30 July 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
2–6 August 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
6–10 September 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
27 September – 1 October 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
4–8 October 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
25–29 October 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
1–5 November 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
22–26 November 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll
6–10 December 2027 Rome, Italy Enroll

Pricing, Packages and Other Information

Price: EUR 400-800

Course package content:

We can assist you:

Accommodation: We can help you find suitable and comfortable accommodation options near the training venue, whether you prefer hotels, guesthouses, or apartments.

Cultural Tours: Immerse yourself in the local culture with our curated tours and excursions. Explore historical sites, museums, and hidden gems, and gain a deeper understanding of your surroundings.

Transportation: We can arrange convenient and reliable transportation options for your arrival and departure.

Cancellation & Changes

We understand that plans can change. That’s why we offer flexible options for cancellations and changes, while also providing clarity on our policy in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Participant-Initiated Changes and Cancellations:

Changes: We are happy to accommodate changes to your registration, such as transferring to a different course date or modifying your accommodation choices, whenever possible. Please contact us as soon as possible with your request and we will do our best to assist you.

Additional Information

  • Language: English
  • Target audience ISCED: Primary education (ISCED 1), Lower secondary education (ISCED 2), Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)
  • Target audience type: Student Teacher, Head Teacher / Principal, Teacher Educator
  • Learning time: 25 hours or more

Enroll in this course →