Coding is a skill often perceived to be reserved to those who can tinker with tools and technology. But the recent Coding For Kids (CFK) Bootcamp – organized by your Information Systems Group (ISG), in partnership with the Junior Academy for Coding Knowledge (JACK) – proved that kids can actually code and even design applications that help create a #GlobeofGood.

CFK kicked off this year’s Globe Innovation Month celebration to encourage all Ka-Globe that if kids can tinker with technology and digital tools, then so can everyone else. The two-week coding Bootcamp was joined by children, nieces, and nephews of Globe employees across different groups.

Kids age 9 to 11 were introduced to the Makey-Makey invention kit, where they learned about basic electronics and conductivity, as well as how they can incorporate Scratch to make both a digital and physical invention.

Applying the basic coding concepts and skills they learned, they created a clicker game, shooter game, maze, poster/quiz, dance revolution game, DJ booth, and piano.

On the other hand, students ages 12 to 14 were introduced to MIT App Inventor, where they learned its interface and how they can utilize it to form simple programs. Upon their familiarization with the platform, they created the following apps focusing on solving basic environmental issues:

• Clean dat Rubbish is a clicker game that advocates proper waste disposal. The goal of the game is to earn points by “picking up” or clicking the trash. Upon reaching 20 points, the player advances to the next level where there is a time limit to collect trash. 

• Go for Green is a quiz app that aims to educate users on the environment. While answering the quiz, users learn more about nature’s health and pollution. The users earns a point for every correct answer. 

• Garbage Run is a game that showcases various environmental issues. In the game, the user jumps for every click. The goal is to collect biodegradable items and jump over non-biodegradable items. When the user hits a non-biodegradable item, the game is over. 

• Ecoviate is a segregation game that aims to raise awareness on environmental concerns specifically on waste disposal, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. The player earns a point by correctly choosing whether an item is biodegradable or non-biodegradable. 

• Eat My Trash is a PacMan-like game that focuses on proper waste disposal. In the game, the trash can is PacMan, the rats are the ghosts, and the trash are the Pellets. The player earns a point by collecting trash that can be done by swiping up, down, left, or right. 

“These kids will comprise the workforce of the future. They will be tomorrow’s builders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. We want them to experience what it’s like to interact with technology and experiment with it instead of them simply consuming it. We want to empower them to dream of and co-create a better future, so they can thrive in this increasingly digital world,” Pebbles Sy-Manalang, our Chief Information Officer, says.

“BIG thank you for arranging this activity for the kids. My son looked forward to every session. I saw the sparkle in his eyes and amazement every time he would be able to create something. It is an effective jump board to our future innovators,” Marie Rose Gallevo, from Sales and Partnerships Audit, says.

While the bootcamp may appear to be fun and simple, it has shattered the misconception that coding is intimidating and that innovation has to be this big ball of idea that’s mind-blowing, revenue-generating, or landscape-changing. Innovation can be simple, fun, exciting, creative, and collaborative.

IT's amazing how much these bright minds have accomplished with only two sessions of coding classes! If these 9- to 14-year-olds can do IT to create a #GlobeOfGood, so can you! (Got the “IT” pun?)

Globe has also partnered with Optus and Singtel to offer free workshops that educate students about their online behavior through Digital Thumbprint Program. Since 2016, Digital Thumbprint Program has been made accessible to over 1.9 million students across the Philippines. Workshops include online safety, security, etiquette, critical thinking and empowerment.

Another initiative is the Global Filipino Schools program, which aims to uplift the state of public education in the Philippines by providing public schools free internet connectivity, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools for teaching and learning, and teacher training. Since the establishment of the first Global Filipino School in 2012, the program has reached all 17 regions in the Philippines, the latest of which were those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 

These initiatives are in line with the commitment of Globe to the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 (ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all).

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About our ICONtributor

Ella Royo is part of ISG Communications and Engagement under ITCC. When not crunched in content and design, you'll probably spot her volunteering in church and non-profits, chasing mountain summits, putting together music and lyrics, or just sitting around somewhere sipping her favorite cup of coffee.

Follow Ella on IG: @ella_vintage