Block programming – Empire Code Education Blog

CODING & ROBOTICS COURSES

Pre-Schoolers (Ages 3-6) Lower Primary (Ages 7-9) Upper Primary (Ages 10-12) Teenagers (Ages 13-19)

MATH COURSES

Pre-Schoolers (Ages 3-6) Upper Primary (Ages 7-11)

SCIENCE COURSES

Lower Primary (Ages 7-9) Upper Primary (Ages 10-12)

CAMPS

Holiday Coding Camps

DSA

DSA Programme

techMBA

techMBA Programme

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

Coder of the Month Girls Who Can Code

CERTIFICATIONS

Badges and Certifications

BLOG

Blog by Felicia Chua

NEWS

Read All About It

COMPETITIONS

Join our Competitions

ESCAPE ROOM

Select Adventure

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Party Packages

PARENTS ACCOUNT

Parents Portal Loyalty App
blog-img

Tag: Block programming

Title: Integrating Coding and Robotics in Singapore’s Education System: A Comparative Study

Digital literacy is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. As technology and AI continue to shape our job landscapes, having a foundation in computational thinking becomes crucial for future employability. Due to the emergence of technology-related fields such as Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, the global interest in integrating computational thinking and programming into academia has surged in the past few years. This article explores Singapore’s approach to integrating coding and robotics across various educational levels, highlighting their strategies and initiatives.

Comparison with Other Countries

Countries such as England, Finland, Japan, and Korea have made computational thinking skills and programming compulsory in education. England, for example, is one of the first countries to integrate programming into its K-12 curriculum through programs that train students to create simple programs to achieve specific goals, for example. In contrast, Singapore strategically introduces CT skills at various stages, focusing on fostering interest rather than mandatory education.

Coding Education in Singapore


In response to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, various programs have been implemented to integrate programming at different education levels. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) introduced the Playmaker initiative, engaging preschoolers in CT through electronic toys like Beebot, Circuit Stickers, and Kibo.

After-school enrichment programs in some preschools use hands-on activities with tools like ScratchJr, Kubo, and Cubetto. For primary schools, IMDA’s Code For Fun Enrichment program exposes students to visual programming tools and robotics in workshops like Scratch, Micro:bit, and Minecraft coding. Primary schools offer computing-related CCAs, such as robotics or infocomm clubs, which aim to foster students’ skills in these areas. They also provide opportunities for students to represent their schools in national coding and robotics competitions such as FIRST LEGO League (FLL) or Coding Olympics (organized by Science Centre). At the secondary school level, they offer computing-related CCAs, Applied Learning Programs (ALPs), and ‘O’ level computing, focusing on Python programming and computational thinking. Currently, 15% of secondary schools are offering computing as an ‘O’ level subject.

Singapore’s Approach in Computing

Unlike countries making coding education compulsory, Singapore adopts an opt-in model, allowing schools to decide on CT programs based on students’ needs. Teachers continuously undergo training to guide students in CT and programming. Primary and secondary students have Direct School Admission tracks in various computation related areas such as coding, robotics, STEM, innovation and infocomm, encouraging them to apply to top schools even before the PSLE, alleviating the stress of the PSLE exams. In Polytechnics, there is also the Early Admission Program (EAE) for polytechnics that allows secondary students to apply through their portfolios.

Benefits of Learning Computational Thinking

Computational thinking is widely applicable in math, science, and social science. According to a survey by IMDA, ‘O’ level computing students mentioned that they can apply problem-solving skills learned in computing to real-life situations, breaking down problems into manageable parts. Learning CT enhances creativity as students actively engage in designing and making projects, gaining confidence in problem-solving and creating based on their ideas.

Summary

In conclusion, Singapore uniquely integrates programming in school education, focusing on generating interest and providing diverse learning experiences from an early age. Parents can expose their kids to coding and robotics, potentially benefiting their education and future opportunities. By allowing schools to opt into CT programs and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Singapore aims to build a future-ready workforce with necessary digital literacy skills.

If you’re interested in trying out coding and robotics for your child, or want to find out more about our competitions and DSA program, contact our friendly consultants in Empire Code through WhatsApp. For MOE teachers seeking vendors for programming workshops or competition training for ALP/Code For Fun/ad-hoc school workshops, visit our MOE workshop page for a free consultation and view our track record.

Sources:
(1) https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-6528-7_19#:~:text=Unlike%20countries%20like%20Finland%2C%20England,ages%2C%20as%20shown%20in%20Fig.

(2) https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/blog/blog-articles/archived/2017/11/computational-thinking-for-every-student#:~:text=Distilled%20down%20to%20its%20most,or%20a%20human%20following%20instructions.

Tips For Parents: Increasing The Chances Of A Successful DSA Application

Is your child interested in coding, robotics, STEM or innovation and aspires to excel in these fields? The Direct School Admissions (DSA) program is the perfect opportunity for your child to leverage on these skills, apply to top secondary schools and secure a spot in these specialized programs, bypassing the traditional PSLE route. As the DSA program is highly competitive, it’s essential to prepare thoroughly to create a comprehensive portfolio and help your child refine their skills for DSA assessments and interviews. Here are some tips for parents, to support their child in acing DSA assessments and interviews for coding, robotics and STEM-focused schools.

1. Guild your child in choosing the right track

Begin by discussing with your child, which track they would like to pursue for the DSA program. There are 3 key requirements schools will look for in a DSA application, namely: good competition experience, a personalized portfolio, and a well-prepared interview. However, beyond the documents that you need to submit, your child needs to be genuinely interested in the area that he/she is applying for DSA. Consider these essential criteria before deciding to apply through the DSA route.

2. Research and find out more about the DSA program

Ensure that you take the time to research about the school’s requirements for their DSA program under coding, robotics or STEM. Understand the competitions, CCAs and special programs offered by the school, attend open houses or seek input from friends and family whose children are in the school’s DSA program. You may consider enrolling your child in enrichment centres with reputable DSA programs that can tailor your child’s portfolio according to the requirements of the schools.

3. Building a strong portfolio

Work with your child and teachers to create a portfolio showcasing their passion for coding, robotics and STEM. This might include projects like creating apps, robots or websites that contribute to the community or environment. Students should be encouraged to join national competitions to demonstrate dedication and willingness to face challenges as well. At Empire Code, we provide guidance based on school requirements and students’ experiences. This ensures every child’s portfolio is catered to the preferences of your preferred schools.

4. Strengthening technical skills

Coding and robotics require technical expertise. If your child gets shortlisted, your child will need to attend their interviews or robotics/coding tests in multiple rounds. Help your child practice their basic coding foundations, logic tests, and robotics projects to ace their hands-on skills.

5. Preparing for interviews

Clear communication skills are essential during interviews. Practice basic interview questions with your child, which includes introducing themselves, discussing motivations, aspirations, & challenges faced during their coding journey. Students are encouraged to highlight experiences from competitions, extracurricular activities (CCAs) and personal projects. Ensure that they can explain their thought processes coherently and consistently. During interviews, judges often seek passionate candidates who align with the school’s culture. Furthermore, stay informed about coding trends, technological advancements and current news to demonstrate dedication to the field. Ultimately, encourage authenticity and self-confidence during the interview day. 


By following these guidelines, there is a higher chance to secure a spot in your child’s dream school. This is a good opportunity to develop your child’s skills and showcase your child’s passion in coding, robotics and STEM. At Empire Code, you can know more about the DSA program through our monthly free open house info-sessions, or schedule a  free phone call with us.

Benefits of Competitions for Direct School Admission in Singapore

In Singapore, the Direct School Admission (DSA) Program gives primary 6 students a head start to gain admission to popular secondary schools, prior to the PSLE examinations. Different secondary schools seek admission through talent areas outside of academic performance such as arts, music, coding and robotics. Examples of popular secondary schools that offer DSA under coding, robotics, innovation, infocomm and STEM are HwaChong Institution, St. Joseph Institution, Nanyang Girls’ Secondary School, Methodist Girls’ High and many more.

If you are looking to start building your child’s DSA portfolio, one aspect that plays a crucial role in the DSA application process are competitions. Participating in various national and international competitions offer various benefits that increase students’ chances of success, whilst contributing to character development, and growth of soft skills. In this article, we will explore some advantages of competitions for Direct School Admissions application in Singapore.

1)Showcasing Talents and Achievements

Competitions train students to think beyond the classroom and provide a platform for them to use what they have learnt in the classroom to real-world challenges. In all fields, competitions allow students to demonstrate their abilities and talents. DSA schools look for students who stand out from others, therefore, participating in many competitions shows the level of achievement and dedication the child has in that particular field. If the child wins the competition, it will also significantly enhance the student’s profile during the shortlisting process.

2)Encouraging Skill and Character Growth

Competitions offer an excellent opportunity for students to develop and refine a wide range of skills. For example, in normal robotics classes, students understand the basics of building and coding a robot, or complete tasks such as line following and many more. In national competitions, students are challenged to use these skills that they have learnt and create a robot that can effectively solve several missions within a limited time period. Furthermore, competitions enhance critical thinking, effective problem solving, communication and teamwork. This development of soft skills are not only important for academic success but also personal growth.

3)Increased Self-Confidence and Exposure to Healthy Competition

Competing in various competitions expose students to healthy competition and prepares them for challenges they may face in the academic and working world. It teaches them how to handle pressure, manage their emotions and perform under stress. By engaging in competitions, students learn how to set their own goals and achieve them. Furthermore, coding and robotics competitions usually require students to present their work in front of panelists. This allows students to refine their public speaking and presentation skills, which are crucial during DSA interviews. Students who participate in various competitions will experience both victories and failures. Over time, they will learn how to handle victories, gain self esteem, and also handle failures and build resilience. Such skills will develop a student both academically and personally. 

In conclusion, competitions play a crucial role in the DSA exercise as they help to showcase students’ talents beyond the classroom. This helps to increase their chances of success to secure a spot in a desired school. Furthermore, competitions also give students invaluable life skills, develop resilience and time management. These skills and experiences will definitely help them during their DSA interviews as well. They can use the experiences that they have learnt in competitions to showcase both technical and soft skills. Lastly, the soft skills that students learn from joining competitions will also help them to prepare for the working world.

If you’re looking to enroll your child for competitions, whether it’s for his/her DSA portfolio or for the educational experience, check out our 2023 and 2024 competitions here.

DSA for Your Preferred Secondary School – via Coding, Robotics and STEM

Does your child have a passion for coding, robotics and STEM? Imagine the incredible opportunity for your child to pursue his/her interests in these fields while gaining admission to top secondary schools in Singapore through the Direct School Admission (DSA) process. Top secondary schools in Singapore such as SJI, ACS, MGS, Hwa Chong and River Valley High are now accepting students via DSA under coding, robotics and STEM tracks. Furthermore, there are specialized schools like the School of Science and Technology (SST) that exclusively admits students under DSA. As the annual DSA cycle starts again, it’s the perfect time to explore your child’s talents and interests.

Apply to top secondary schools via a DSA portfolio with us!

Building a DSA portfolio with Empire Code offers the following advantages:

1. A Structured DSA Program:

Empire Code offers a comprehensive DSA program tailored to the specific requirements of the schools that you choose. Our program will cover all the necessary modules and competitions required. We understand the importance of competitions in building a strong portfolio, and our DSA students receive priority access to participate in both coding and robotics competitions. With dedicated trainers who possess years of competition experience, your child will receive specialized training to excel in these competitions. 

2. Personalized Roadmaps:

At Empire Code, we have a team of DSA specialists who curate personalized roadmaps based on your child’s needs. Through our extensive database, we have gathered specific requirements from schools, including data from school open houses and previous experiences of our students. This allows us to design a roadmap that maximizes your child’s chances of success.

3. Project Write-Ups:

For students applying to SST and innovation tracks (such as SJI), we assist in training our students to create their own project write-ups. Our program trains students to research global issues, such as sustainability, and innovate projects to address these challenges. These project write-ups will then be put together to form a portfolio to be sent to the school of choice. This exercise nurtures critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving skills.

4. Flexible and Individualized Learning:

Empire Code offers flexi-hour weekly classes to accommodate your busy schedule. Our classes are designed for individualized learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Each coding module follows a structured program with predefined projects and milestones. Our trainers are adept at managing different learning paces and provide personalized guidance to every student.

5. Accredited and Approved Trainers

Empire Code Education is an approved private school by the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE). Our teachers hold MOE approvals and Microsoft Minecraft Education certifications, enabling them to teach in local and private schools. We also have a team of software engineers that help to build our curriculum, ensuring that whatever your child learns will be relevant to the current industry.

6. Comprehensive Support:

Our package includes more than just coding and robotics training. We provide progress reports, testimonials, assessment preparation and interview training. We collaborate with ELITAN English for our interview training, a renowned public speaking center. With the guidance of Mr. Tan, a seasoned expert with years of experience training students from school levels to C-suite executives, your child will be well-prepared for interviews. 

We are committed to helping your child gain entry to their dream school, whilst having fun in the learning journey as well. When you enroll in our DSA program, we will plan your child’s learning journey all the way until Primary 6 (year of DSA application). In addition to building a comprehensive portfolio, we also provide preparation for assessments and interviews. To learn more about our DSA program, receive a free consultation with our DSA specialist by filling up the form!

From Gamers to Coders: Develop Coding Skills Through Minecraft and Roblox

To all Parents: If you’re concerned that your kids’ love for playing Minecraft and Roblox might not be useful, fear not! These games offer far more than just entertainment value – they also offer opportunities to learn Coding and Game Development skills. In addition to coding, they also enhance skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and soft skills irreplaceable by AI: Creativity and Collaboration. 

Schools have been weaving Minecraft and Roblox into class time, to complement science, history, math and many other subjects! Singapore schools have also incorporated Minecraft and Roblox into sessions, to relay tricky concepts in a fun & engaging manner. Utilising Minecraft Education Edition and Roblox Studio allows your children to pick up coding concepts, whilst having fun.

Minecraft is a game that allows players to build anything they want within the limits of the 3D world. The educational version of Minecraft, known as “Minecraft: Education Edition”, offers a block-based programming platform that allows students to code their very own educational games. It offers a user-friendly interface for kids to learn coding concepts in relatable ways, and encourages experimentation with concepts such as loops, conditional statements and functions, whilst they build their own virtual games. 

Learning how to code using Minecraft helps students develop computational thinking, logical thinking, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Minecraft can also complement skill sets in math and science. For math, students learn concepts such as coordinates and area. The requirements for precise dimensions and coordinates are the key to creating a successful game. For Science, Minecraft has a chemistry lab where students can use chemicals in the lab and explore the reactions of various chemicals. 

Roblox studio, on the other hand, offers a more advanced coding experience through its embedded programming language: Lua. This platform allows users to develop their own games, create assets and program the game logic from scratch. Lua is a powerful coding language that is used in a variety of industries such as gaming and web development. Through this, students can gain a solid foundation in syntax programming, which can be applied to more advanced coding languages such as Python and Javascript. Furthermore, they can also learn 3D modeling skills by creating their models through Blender and importing these models in Roblox. Additionally, Roblox has multiplayer environment features which encourages collaboration and problem-solving skills amongst players.

Learning how to code using Minecraft and Roblox opens up a world of opportunities for students. Coding is a valuable skill that is in high demand in today’s age, and by learning how to code through Minecraft and Roblox, kids can gain a competitive edge in their future careers. Furthermore, who doesn’t like to learn in a fun way? Beyond career benefits, learning to code complements their education, and develops life skills such as critical & logical thinking; essential skills they can use in any industry they find themselves in. With the growing demand for coding skills, it is never too late to learn how to code. Let your kids unleash their creativity and use their love for Minecraft and Roblox to do something productive! Sign up for our FREE Minecraft and Roblox trial classes now! Contact us at +65 8145 5004 to book a trial class. 

Sources:

Coding, Robotics and STEM

In the last few years, the terms “Coding”, “Robotics” and “STEM” have become ubiquitous, and you’ve likely heard of it one way or another. With the rise of technology in the digital age, along with the plethora of coding and robotics enrichment programmes, the common question is “What’s the difference between these fields? Is it useful for my child’s educational journey?”. This post aims to share the key differences between coding, robotics and STEM, its crucial role in ensuring technical literacy, and how they can benefit your child’s education.

First off, what is Coding?

Coding is a language – we tell computers what to do using codes. You’ve probably heard of Python or Javascript, which are called syntax programming. In this current age, coding has been simplified, so that children as young as 4 can grasp the concepts with ease. Known as block-based programming, it aims to introduce computational thinking to very young learners, (thus building on their foundations), so that their progress to syntax programming at a later age (text-based languages), will be a more fluid process. 

If you have heard of Scratch (the popular MIT software with the orange cat as its beloved mascot), it is a popular example of block-based programming. Children learn how to create their own animations and mini-games through dragging and dropping the code blocks. In addition to learning the various coding concepts, their brains are trained to think logically, computationally, and critically. We also teach students how to debug their codes independently; this stimulates the different areas of the brain, where they are trained to solve problems creatively, and view the obstacles through different lenses. For younger learners, progression from block-based programming such as Tynker and Scratch, is transitioned to game development modules such as Minecraft Education Edition, and Roblox Game Development; from here, students would then progress to more complex text-based programming languages like Python and C++. These languages open up a wide array of career opportunities – from web and app development to data science and machine learning.

Then, how about Robotics?

What comes to your mind when you first hear the term robotics? For most people, it is LEGO. However, robotics goes beyond just building a prototype. Robotics deal with designing and building robots, and utilisation of various sensors and motors, for optimal functioning. These sensors and motors are usually connected to a device, in which students learn programming to control the robots to create an action, so as to respond to a certain input. Hence, the line between coding and robotics is sometimes a bit gray. The main difference is that coding is mainly based on software, but robotics includes both software and hardware. However, both of these fields fall and interact under the STEM category.

What is STEM?

STEM (or STEAM) is an interdisciplinary teaching approach that unites the disciplines of science, technology, engineering (art,), and math into a single program. Although it emphasizes heavily on science and math, STEM is a very broad umbrella of different programs with the same goal – to provide students with engaging and hands-on methods of learning to develop science and math-based skills, so that they can gain 21st century skills such as communication, critical thinking, computational thinking, problem solving, and most importantly, contribute to a technologically-driven society.

Hence, coding and robotics also fall under this STEM category. Math and Science can be integrated into game development platforms as well as robotics. For example, you can learn chemistry concepts in Minecraft: Education Edition using their chemistry lab. Minecraft provides a variety of chemicals that work the same way as the real world, which allows for students to learn science concepts in a more fun and engaging way. In the same way, you can use LEGO SPIKE Prime (robotics) to create a robot that  transfers energy from one place to another. Such projects also integrate engineering and science concepts, which are part of the school curriculum. 

In other words, STEM education aims to go beyond the traditional academic approach and provides students the tools and opportunities to apply what they have learnt to solve real-world problems. For example, instead of learning the instructions for creating a robot, and the geography and physics of an earthquake, STEM education allows students to apply the knowledge to create an earthquake simulator using LEGO, for example, and tests how much force is required to make a LEGO brick house fall down. Projects like these allow students to use cross-disciplinary knowledge (from coding, to robotics and engineering) to solve problems creatively (for example, how can we make the foundation of the house stronger, so as to withstand the force of an earthquake). 

Not sure where to start?

It depends on your child’s preference. Some students prefer robotics due to its hands-on learning nature, where they can see the physical result of their projects immediately. Coding, on the other hand, is intangible. However, you can create your own websites, analyze real-world data, and design your own mobile apps and games. Both of these disciplines still have the same goals in mind – to teach students the necessary 21st century skills and prepare them for the digitized future ahead of them. 

In Empire Code, we offer modules across these different disciplines. You can let your child try out coding and robotics through our free trial classes. Contact us at +65 8154 5004 to find out more!

Coding Escape Room Reflections from Sherine

Hello! It’s me again, Sherine. Today, I’m here to share my reflections not as a marketer, or preschool teacher (see our previous blog), but as an Escape Room host. 

Look at the happy faces of our students receiving their Halloween goodie bags and 3D printed pumpkins and ghosts!

This Halloween 2022, we had a blast with our students dressing up as various characters. Some students even deliberately attended lessons on a weekend, just so they could wear their costumes! In addition to this, our popular coding Escape Rooms have returned! Our last coding escape room took place just before COVID, so we are delighted to reinstate this after a 2-year hiatus. 

This year’s theme was “Potter’s Escape”. The theme revolved around the story of Harry Potter, in which the students needed to solve a series of coding challenges to escape from the dungeons of ‘He-who-must-not-be-named’. This escape room included various tasks that required computational, innovative and critical thinking. We included challenges that were beyond what the students learnt in their usual lessons. For example, the first task was: “How to think like a computer”. We gave the students a series of 0’s and 1’s (a language the computer understands) and asked them to solve the code to unlock the next stage. Not only that, we also introduced them to Python Turtle as the last and hardest task. Since most of our students (ages 7 to 10) only have experience with block programming, this was their first exposure to syntax programming.

Despite the challenges, the students were very proactive and found many different creative ways to solve the task. They were able to apply what they had learnt in class to solve the challenges. Although we had only provided a brief explanation for the Python Turtle task, they were able to grasp the concepts quickly and solve the problems before time ran out. As computational thinking is classified as one of the most valuable 21st century skills, I was pleasantly surprised to see children of this generation developing these important skills from such a young age. They have developed a curious and innovative mindset – one that is intrigued by challenging tasks, as they come up with innovative ways to solve them. With more guidance and suitable challenges, they will be able to improve their coding and computational skills in no time!