Free event open to children aged 7 to 17. Under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or carer.

There is on-site parking (chargeable) and easy access by public transport. See here for directions.

Only book one activity per child. If your youngster wishes to use a club laptop, book a ticket for an activity AND ALSO a ticket for a loan laptop.

If in doubt which activity to choose, email us for advice :-)

Scratch
An ideal way to get started with coding and have amazing fun building video games and animations, with all the help you need. If you have done some Scratch before, we’ve a great choice of projects to make including the brand new Shaun the Sheep: Mission to Space animation toolkit! If you like problem solving, try our special 'challenges' series; or alternatively develop your own game concept with as much help as you need from our wizard mentors.
Bring a laptop or book club machine.

Web page mixing, design and game development
Interested in learning how to create your own web pages? To start with, you will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of cool projects which will help you learn the basics of HTML. You can then progress to designing and building your own web pages as well as using, CSS for changing page layouts; or use Javascript to program how different elements of a page respond to user interaction. More experienced coders can develop a choose-your-adventure game, involving its design and then implementing it using HTML, CSS and Javascript.
Bring a laptop or book club machine.

Python
If you already know Scratch and can type ok, now’s the time to try this powerful grown-up scripting language (and have fun too!) by creating guessing games, interactive jokes, fantasy games, noughts & crosses and lots more. We are particularly keen to encourage more girls to try Python so we have re-introduced a dedicated girls table led by female mentors.
Bring a laptop or book club machine.

App Inventor
MIT App Inventor is a block-based programming tool that allows you to build fully functional mobile apps for Android devices.You can test them on the simulator in the browser-based devlopment environment and then transfer them to run on the Android; or you can run them straight on the phone while developing, and then package them to install on any Android phone or tablet.
You need intermediate Scratch skills. Bring a laptop or book club machine. Android phones available.

Unity
Unity is a powerful cross-platform game engine used by professional game developers to create video games and simulations for computers, game consoles and mobile devices. Learn to create 3-D indoor and outdoor worlds, navigate them with C# script and get to grips with the RigidBody physics engine. Later, move on to making RPGs or vehicular simulations; then learn to port projects to mobiles, consoles and VR platforms.
For experienced coders who have attended at least four Python sessions at a CoderDojo or gained equivalent experience elsewhere. Held in dedicated Kingston University Game Lab.

Raspberry Pi - Mission Zero with Astro Pi
Mission Zero offers the chance to write a program that will run in space on one of the Raspberry Pis currently in orbit on the International Space Station! Teams write a simple program to measure the temperature and display a message to the astronauts onboard. You don't need special equipment or coding skills, and all participants that follow the guidelines are guaranteed to have their programs run in space. You will also receive a special certificate showing where exactly the ISS was when your program ran!
Bring a laptop or book club machine. You need to be under 14 for your code to be eligible for the ISS.

Micro:bit Inventor Projects
Learn to connect up the amazing micro:bit to simple interactive ciruits and carry out experiments using LEDs, motors and other electronic components. We'll be controlling them using a Scratch type language (java blocks). You only need to have a little coding experience and you will receive lots of support!
Some prior Scratch experience needed. Micro:bits are provided. Bring a laptop or book club machine.

Bit:Bot Python Robot
Program a robot with MicroPython to run 4 different activities! control a motor; illuminate an amazing Neopixel coloured LED array; sense distance to avoid obstacles with ultrasonic sensors;and sound a buzzer.
Some prior Python experience needed. Micro:bits are provided. Bring a laptop or book club machine.

Terms of participation:

A parent or carer must accompany any children under 13 years old throughout the session and take responsibility for them and for their belongings while on Kingston University premises. Being cool means no bullying, lying or wasting people's time. Please show respect for the University's equipment and buildings; and have consideration for others at all times.

If you book places but are unable to attend, kindly let us know so we can re-allocate the places to those on our waiting list. We reserve the right to refuse bookings in future by families who repeatedly book tickets, cannot attend and do not let us know.