About This Course
Computational thinking, the ability to break complex problems into steps, identify patterns, think algorithmically and design systematic solutions, is one of the most transferable and increasingly essential skills in twenty-first century education. Yet many teachers feel underprepared to introduce coding and robotics into their classrooms, either because they lack technical confidence or because they have not had the opportunity to explore accessible, age-appropriate approaches.
This course changes that. Over one week, participants develop genuine practical confidence in introducing coding and robotics into their teaching, regardless of their prior technical knowledge. Using a range of tools appropriate for different age groups, from visual block-based coding environments for young learners to physical robotics kits and text-based programming for older students, participants experience the joy of building, coding and solving problems for themselves before designing activities for their own students.
The course is aligned with DigComp 3.0, the Digital Education Action Plan and the EU's Digital Decade targets, which identify digital skills and coding literacy as a priority for European education systems.
Who Should Attend
- Primary and secondary teachers who want to introduce or expand coding in their classroom
- ICT teachers looking for new approaches to computational thinking
- STEM teachers interested in robotics and physical computing
- School leaders planning coding and digital literacy provision
- No prior coding or technical knowledge required
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
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Explain the principles of computational thinking and apply them to design learning activities for different age groups.
Computational thinking is not about computers. It is about breaking problems into steps, finding patterns, generalising solutions and designing algorithms. You will be able to explain this clearly to colleagues and parents and design activities that develop computational thinking across different subjects, not just in ICT lessons.
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Use visual block-based coding tools to create simple programmes and teach these tools to students.
You will have hands-on experience of the most widely used visual coding environments for schools including Scratch, Code.org and similar platforms. You will have completed your own coding projects and designed activities appropriate for your age group.
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Use physical robotics kits to design coding and engineering challenges for students.
You will have built and programmed a physical robot as part of a team challenge. The process of building something that moves in response to code is transformative for many participants who have always thought of coding as abstract and screen-based.
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Design a coding or robotics unit of work appropriate for your school context and student age group.
You will leave with a complete, ready-to-implement coding unit designed for your own context. It will include learning objectives, session plans, assessment criteria and guidance for managing the practical challenges of a coding classroom.
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Connect coding and robotics activities to broader STEM learning goals and EU competence frameworks.
Coding and robotics are most powerful when they are connected to broader learning. You will know how to position your coding work within your school's STEM strategy, your Erasmus+ project goals and the EU's digital skills agenda.
A 7-Day Professional Development Experience
The Sude Nexus programme combines five days of intensive professional training with a structured arrival day and a cultural excursion day. The outline below gives a general sense of the week. We are always open to tailoring the programme to your needs.
Participants arrive at their chosen destination and are welcomed by the Sude Nexus local team. Check-in to accommodation, welcome pack distribution and an informal welcome dinner. A brief orientation walk introduces the city.
Guided cultural excursion to a key landmark of the destination. Participants travelling home are free to depart after breakfast.
This outline is a starting point, not a fixed schedule. Contact us to discuss how we can tailor this programme for your institution.
EU Policy Alignment
Erasmus+ 2026 Horizontal Priorities
EU Competence Frameworks
EU Policy Initiatives
Available Locations and Dates
This course is available across all 13 Sude Nexus destinations. Check the dates page for current availability.
Check Dates and Availability