IIPGH selected for Scratch Education Collaborative 2024 – 2026: A leap forward in creative computing education  

IIPGH IIPGHlcomed to the SEC Cohort 4

By Deborah OFORI-DARTEY

The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) is proud to announce its selection for the 2024-2026 Cohort of the Scratch Education Collaborative (SEC) by the Scratch Foundation.

This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone for IIPGH, as IIPGH joins a distinguished group of 55 organizations from 23 countries, chosen from over 350 applicants worldwide. Notably, IIPGH is the second Ghanaian organization accepted into the SEC since its inception in 2021 and the only Ghanaian organization in the current cohort.

In the words of the Scratch Foundation, our organization brings high-quality computer science education to kids worldwide, as highlighted in this LinkedIn post – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/scratchfoundation_scratcheducationcollaborative-activity-7216441841552961536-qx7l?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop.

The Scratch Education Collaborative (SEC) initiative

“The Scratch Education Collaborative (SEC) is an initiative that supports and engages participating organizations worldwide in a two-year, collaborative cohort experience to strengthen their organization’s commitment to, and implementation of, equitable creative computing. SEC participants engage in a series of collaborative learning experiences that are co-developed and co-facilitated by Scratch and SEC partner organizations as they work to create a self-sustaining community of practice and establish models for equity-centered creative computing resources.” – Scratch Team

IIPGH’s journey and commitment to creative coding

Since 2018, IIPGH has been at the forefront of promoting creative coding, and engaging children aged six and above. Recognizing the need to extend our coding program to underserved and unserved communities, IIPGH initiated the Coding Caravan in 2021. This initiative travels from community to community, engaging students in Upper Primary and Junior High Schools with practical creative coding lessons. Each session is equipped with over 100 laptops pre-installed with the Scratch programming tool, ensuring that every student has access to a laptop during these sessions.

Scratch is a free programming language and online community where children can create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, it encourages creative learning and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.

Some featured Scratch Projects

Our mission places a particular emphasis on historically disadvantaged groups such as girls, physically challenged individuals, and financially disadvantaged students. Given the extensive resources required for these outreaches, IIPGH relies heavily on the benevolence of various organizations. We invite all organizations to partner with us to offer these opportunities to more communities as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

Impact and reach

Currently, more than 10,000 children across Ghana and beyond have benefited from our programs. Our reach extends beyond Ghana to students in Switzerland, Zimbabwe, and the United States. With the impact IIPGH has made using limited resources, this new partnership with the Scratch Foundation will significantly enhance our delivery of Scratch learning and expand our reach to more children.

Collaborative efforts and future prospects

The SEC initiative is more than just an accolade; it is a commitment to a collaborative learning experience that will enhance our organization’s capabilities and reinforce our mission. Through SEC, IIPGH will engage in a series of learning experiences co-developed and co-facilitated by Scratch and SEC partner organizations. This collaboration aims to establish models for equity-centered creative computing resources.

Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, featured on the among the list of 2024 – 2026 SEC Cohort

Our participation in the SEC aligns with our long-term goal of making ICT education accessible to all children, regardless of their background. The resources and support from SEC will enable us to refine our methodologies, introduce new teaching tools, and ultimately provide a more enriching learning experience for our students.

Opportunity for educators: Join the Scratch Conference 2024

The Scratch Foundation is thrilled to present Scratch Conference 2024: “Create Your Own Adventure!” Join on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT for a day of imagining, creating, and sharing with educators worldwide. Enjoy livestream sessions, explore project ideas, and share stories with fellow participants. Highlights include sessions by CSforALL, Makey Makey, the DevTech Research Group, and the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT, among others. Register for free and be part of this exciting event via https://events.ringcentral.com/events/scratch-conference-2024/registration

We invite local and international organizations to join us on this journey. By partnering with IIPGH, you can play a crucial role in shaping the future of ICT education in Ghana and beyond. Your support will enable us to reach more communities, provide more resources, and ensure that every child can develop their confidence in creative coding.

Let us work together to inspire and empower the next generation of tech-savvy individuals. Join us in this transformative journey and make a lasting impact on the future of ICT education.

To collaborate with the Institute, contact Deborah via email – [email protected] or phone – 233 24 291 2027.

The Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) is a professional association made up of professionals in various domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practice. Some services offered include Digital Skills Education, ICT Consultancy and Solutions for Business, Curriculum Reviews for Educational Institutions, IT Human Resource Provision, among others. Visit our website – https://iipgh.org/ to learn more.

By Deborah OFORI-DARTEY

The writer is the Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana with about 5 years of experience engaging children ages 6 years – 14 years in Creative Coding Experiences.

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