A zine by
Jan 2020
Saturday Kids
CURIOSITY CHRONICLES
ISSUE 1
Making kids curious since 2012
THE PUSH FOR DIGITAL LITERACY
PURSUE CREATIVITY, NOT COMPETITION A little earlier this year, coding enrichment classes were made compulsory for all upper primary students in Singapore. Here, we take a step back to adopt a broader perspective to the news, and explore what it means for kids, parents, and us as a larger community.
The opening of a new path towards digital literacy offers surplus opportunities to students across the board and we’re psyched about the creative potential that learning a new medium will unlock. Done well, learning to code will help kids lean into the future and equip them with the knowledge to make sound, informed decisions - allowing them to better navigate the world they’re growing up in. Not only would coding offer kids an additional medium to express their creativity, we foresee that it will boost their creative confidence and provide them with another outlet for self-expression – all the while getting them curious about technology. Nevertheless, it’s important to place this development within a larger context and to recognise what our responsibility is
– as parents, educators and the general community – in order to ensure this ultimately benefits all kids in the long run without evolving into yet another weapon for classroom competition. Here, we share some thoughts on how to ensure that coding in classrooms will leave a positive impact on children. 1. Think critically about digital literacy education
they learn. Coding may be the flavour of the month and a vital skill at this point of time, but as the saying goes, change is the only constant. As such we need not – or rather should not develop every child to be an engineer, but if they’re curious, creative and self-directed, we’re sure that will enable them to solve big problems and flourish in their own paths. We stand for inspiring curiosity, regardless of the subject matter.
At Saturday Kids, we’ve never believed in promoting technology for the sake of churning out tech-savvy kids. Instead, we believe it is a means of cultivating curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness in children. We know that’s the secret sauce for kids to thrive in an unpredictable world, and work towards their own definitions of success – whatever that might be.
2. Value what makes us human
How kids learn matters as much as what
That’s why the study of the humanities
Technology doesn’t operate in a vacuum. The more technology-driven and automated our world becomes, the greater the importance of “soft skills” and the humanities. The ability to analyse, evaluate and apply technology within different contexts is critical.
and social sciences is so important, and why traits like curiosity, empathy, and problem-solving are the ones we should really look to nurture. Amidst the hype of tech, let’s not overlook the fundamental skills and qualities that are key to ensuring tech is purposed for the greater good. 3. Keep code creative, keep learning fun. As we mentioned earlier, kids can and should learn so much more than just technical skills when they learn to code! Code can be a powerful tool for kids to build creative confidence and practise creative expression – qualities that will last a lifetime and come in handy, regardless of whether a kid grows up to be an engineer, author, banker, or musician. Let’s keep code creative and the learning process fun. Because when kids get a taste of how fun learning can be, half the battle
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WELCOME TO ISSUE 1 OF THE CURIOSITY CHRONICLES!
Whether you're a parent, educator, big kid or not so big kid - we're glad you're here. The Curiosity Chronicles is our love letter to all things curious at the intersection of kids, education, tech, and impact. Our team at Saturday Kids is dedicated to transforming every child into a curious, self-directed learner excited about making the world a better place. If this resonates with you, we'd love to connect. You'll find our details on the second last page. Enjoy this read and we'll see you around! Stay curious, The Big Kids of Saturday Kids
CONTENTS THE PUSH FOR DIGITAL LITERACY
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Pursue Creativity, not Competition KIDS OF SATURDAY KIDS
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Meet Quinten Buwalda — A Coder with Big Dreams and A Bigger Heart The More We Learn Together:
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What Rocket Launcher Fongyee Learned about Learning at the School of Machines
Let's Talk About Course Progression
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WHAT KIDS LEARN WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR OWN APP
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From App Users to App Architects POSTCARDS FROM A CREATIVE CODER
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A Day in the Life of a Creative Technologist SATURDAY KIDS IN CAMBODIA
Coding Cats and the Need to Keep Kids Curious
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FRIENDS OF SATURDAY KIDS: ANLI OF ETONHOUSE JAPAN
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What Kids Learn When They Unplug in Nature "I AM A SATURDAY KID, NOT A WORKER."
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Rocket Launcher Momo on Education, Community and Impact WHAT I LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING WITH CODE IN
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THE COMMUNITY
Curiosity Chronicles Issue 1, December 2019. Published by Saturday Kids. Printed by Allegro Print on Recypal Paper. Original layout by Pua Xiner. www.saturdaykids.com CURIOSIT Y CHRONICLES
Hear from Big Kid Si Hui What's On
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KIDS OF SATURDAY KIDS
MEET QUINTEN BUWALDA — A CODER WITH BIG DREAMS AND A BIGGER HEART Quinten is a Saturday Kids alumnus who inspires our team not just with the inventive projects he’s built with code, but with his sense of social responsibility and resilience.
Just 12 years old, Quinten has big dreams of using his coding superpowers to give back, and has already started to do so by volunteering as a teaching assistant for Code in the Community which brings free coding classes to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. But enough from us – let’s hear from him! Hey Quinten! How did you get started with coding? I love playing video games, as most kids my age do. But beyond that I really wanted to figure out how they were developed and engineered, so then I started getting into coding. What does coding mean to you? Telling your computer to do certain things… I’d say coding is using logic to create something that works – stuff that people can use – on multiple devices. There’s no point in creating something that no one will enjoy using. Can you tell us about a coding project that you enjoyed creating? I made my sister this music player thing on Scratch because she wanted to listen to music and we didn’t have Spotify, so
“I’d invent a cheaper cochlear implant, for people who are deaf like me, but under-privileged. It’s a very big step, and will take some time, but maybe I could be the first."
I got a few songs and put them onto Scratch. Unfortunately, there was a song upload limit! How do you deal with problems that crop up when you’re coding?
under-privileged.
I try to stop and think of what I did wrong. But sometimes, if it’s a really big problem, I have a small mental breakdown. If it’s a type error, then I look it up and try to find out what’s wrong, and sometimes I just have to re-write the whole thing because of that single error.
The problem is that people who are underprivileged don’t have the ability to afford a device like the cochlear implant which is very expensive, so they might need to go for cheaper options that don’t work as well. So I’d like to create a cheap option that works just as well as the expensive option.
If you could invent anything in the world with your coding superpowers, what would it be?
It’s a very big step, and will take some time, but maybe I could be the first.
I’d invent a cheaper cochlear implant, for people who are deaf like me, but
~ Anything that works, works – that’s the first step. And then you improve it. There’s no such thing as the best, only better. ~
If you could set 1 rule for people all over the world, what would it be? You’re not allowed to give up. If you’re stuck on something, just shut down your computer and don’t look at it for the rest of the day. Have a good sleep, then open it again. Calm down, research your problem, and once it’s solved, relish the satisfaction of having solved it by yourself and the fact that you didn’t give up.
There’s no such thing as the best, only better. Do you have any advice for kids who want to start coding? Start with Scratch! Don’t try to jump straight to the complicated stuff. Once you’re confident with Scratch, create custom blocks, incorporate scripts in Scratch and then move on. Once you get the hang of the complexity of Scratch, then it gets easier to pick up other things. Oh, and be logical! Think out of the box. Think what would happen if I did this
At Saturday Kids, our students don’t just learn to code. They code to learn. If you have a story to share about your kid’s experience with us, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch at hello@saturdaykids.com.
Even if it wasn’t what you expected, it still works. Anything that works, works – that’s the first step. And then you improve it.
THE MORE WE LEARN TOGETHER WHAT ROCKET LAUNCHER FONGYEE LEARNED ABOUT LEARNING AT THE SCHOOL OF MACHINES
Rocket Launcher Fong Yee spent last summer as a teaching assistant at the School of Machines, an independent school in Berlin that offers courses at the intersection of art, science, technology, design and human connection. Taking a step back to look at her roles educating kids and adults in two very different cultures, she shares what she learned about educational environments, and learning itself.
My first encounter with School of Machines was when I took a 4-week course on Artifical Intelligence and Machine Learning for artists in Summer 2018. It was an intense roller-coaster ride, complete with thrills, fears and a very steep learning curve. Of course, I wanted to get on it again when the ride ended and had the pleasure of doing so this summer. Although I returned as a teaching assistant instead of a student, the learning didn’t stop just
because I was wearing a different hat. At School of Machines, classes are open to all and anyone with the interest and desire to learn. The students ranged from a rapper who writes his own music to a neuroscience student to a philosophy graduate and even a mathematician who just got his PhD – we were a volatile, unstoppable group! Every student in the class is also a specialist in their own way! During the 2 months, I was learning and
trying alongside the students in the class, providing support and also being the occasional ‘Hype Girl’ when it was an unfortunate day of errors and debugging. Or defusing the new frustrations that come with learning to solder on one of the hottest days in Europe. So what does any of this have to do with the work (and play) I do at Saturday Kids in Japan? Everything.
From the outside, it looks different from my classes here in Tokyo. In Berlin, there were definitely no over-excited 4-yearolds clambering over Beebots or starting lessons with a game of Simon Says. But from my vantage point as a teaching assistant, I got to listen and observe how other students learn – as it turns out, the struggles and joys of learning are the same in both kids and adults. Just like how we get upset when we hit a brick wall with our code, it is just as acceptable for a 4-yearold to get impatient while getting used to making a drag and drop gesture on the iPad. The topics and students I interact with in Berlin and Tokyo are literally worlds apart. But at the core of it, it is about learning, failing and human connection. All of it through the wonders and challenges of tech. The parallels are unmistakable. Just like how the students in Berlin are experts in their own fields outside of tech, so are the kids here in Tokyo. Some of them are experts at making the best animal sounds, or the best at creating their own characters on Scratch Jr. It was a good reminder that every individual, kid or big kid alike, has
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(continued from page 3) something new to bring to the table. In a class, everyone is a student, and we can learn as much from the kids as they do from us.
I have seen my 6-year-old student work on a beautiful elaborate Strawbees creature for half a lesson, look at it for a minute, then ask if he could take it apart to start
An observable difference in the learning that takes place between kids and adults is the fear of starting over – something painfully relatable to myself as an artist and educator.
~ The topics and students I interact with in Berlin and Tokyo are literally worlds apart. But at the core of it, it is about learning, failing and human connection. ~
Sometimes it is difficult to take things apart and try again, especially when you have been working on it for so long.
over because he wasn’t happy with it. Before I could respond, he was already taking it apart, ready to start again but this time, equipped with what he had learned one iteration ago. What a lesson it was
Fong Yee is Lead Rocket Launcher, Chief Artistic Officer and sometimes Tamagoyaki Head Chef at Saturday Kids Japan. Don't forget to check out her exhibition "The Curious Sky" at The Artground from now till Mar 2020!
LET’S TALK ABOUT COURSE PROGRESSION One of the questions we get asked most frequently is on course progression. What coding course should you register your child for? What concepts are appropriate for them to be exposed to at their age? And subsequently, where can they go from here?
At Saturday Kids, we believe that there isn’t just one path towards helping kids stay curious, inventive and resourceful – so you might have noticed that we haven’t designed our courses based on a linear progression.
through the design thinking process in our new App Architects course, or through something as simple as debugging a Scratch project or a mobile app, the emphasis is always applying the concepts learnt in class.
Navigating this landscape may not be all that straightforward, so we’ve created a little guide to help you choose a coding course your kid will love.
The sweet spot in learning is where theory and application meet – kids generally learn better when they can visualise what they’re trying to create. Theory is one part of it but the application is often just as important. After all, what’s the point of knowledge if you’re not going to apply it?
To start, here are a couple of factors to consider in choosing the right coding course for your child: 1. Breadth vs Depth With breadth, kids gain exposure to different fields and learn a little bit of everything. With depth, they gain mastery and subject expertise. So is one really better than the other? There’s no right answer! It helps to clarify your kid’s learning objectives – are you looking to introduce your child to coding and its possibilities, or does your kid want to pursue a single language or interest area in depth? The choice is yours – or rather, theirs! 2. Theory vs. Application Our courses are designed as a combination of concept and application. Whether it’s
3. Placing Coding In Context Coding is relevant and useful to the extent that it can be applied across multiple areas. Therefore, learning takes place both by learning additional concepts (depth) and applying them in different fields (breadth). Examples of concepts could include variable assignment, conditionals, iteration. Examples of different fields could include robotics & hardware, creative computing, animation, and game design. At Saturday Kids, once kids complete the beginner courses and have the necessary pre-requisites, possibilities open up for kids to follow their curiosity to explore different paths based on their interests. By applying foundational coding concepts in complex ways, creative application helps
3 key considerations when choosing a coding course for your kid:
kids reinforce and deepen their learning. So, what should your kid be learning at their age? For 5-6 Year Olds
Curious Cubs is a great course to introduce kids to the world of tech and how it’s present around them through creative and fun projects that aren’t just screen-based. Kids can then progress on to Tiny Techies 1 followed by Tiny Techies 2, to learn more about programming concepts. For 7-10 Year Olds
3. Placing Coding in Context What is your child curious about?
CURIOSIT Y CHRONICLES
For 11-14 Year Olds
For the older kids, there’s Back to Basics: From Zeroes to Python Heroes, a Python foundation course with a combination of hardware & software. With basic Python knowledge, they can progress to Puzzle Out with Python Programming if they have an interest in cryptography, or gets handson at our newest micropython course, Make with Micro:bit and Python. And finally, Python Pros! If Python or text-based languages aren’t really your kid’s thing, there are lots of block-based options for older kids as well. Choose from our newly-revamped mobile app development course App Architects, robotics and coding with Marvelous
1. Breadth vs Depth Is your child’s priority to gain exposure or develop technical mastery? 2. Theory vs Application How will the skills they’re learning be applied?
courses depending on their interests – ranging from robotics & hardware, creative computing, and game design.
We recommend that kids start their journey with Start with Scratch, our most popular foundation course for beginners. With a good grasp of programming concepts, they can then progress on to a variety of
There’s plenty for your kids to discover at Saturday Kids, and there’s absolutely no reason why kids can’t learn and have fun at the same time. Check out our course progression map overleaf to explore ageappropriate creative coding adventures!
Mod & Hack 3D Games with Minecraft & Kodu
AGES 11–14
* For kids ages 7-14.
Paint in 3D with Tilt Brush by Google*
AGES 7–10
AGES 5–6
Marvelous Machines & Mechanisms
App Architects
Back to Basics: From Zeroes to Python Heroes
Animate with Scratch
Bring Your Lego to Life with Code
Start with Scratch
Tiny Techies 1
Curious Cubs
SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS
Make with micro:bit & Python
Puzzle Out with Python Programming
ROBOTICS & HARDWARE
Python Pros! The Curious Mission to Mars
CREATIVE COMPUTING
3-hour workshops
16-hour courses
Optional intro courses
GAME DESIGN
GAME ON! Scratch Masters
Code & Invent with micro:bit Block Editor
Become a Rock Star Code DJ
Mod & Hack 3D Games with Minecraft & Kodu
Marvelous Machines & Mechanisms
Tiny Techies 2
Here’s an example of a progression path, email us at hello@saturdaykids.com to find out what this might look like for your child, based on his/her interests!
At Saturday Kids, we believe that there isn’t just one path towards helping kids stay curious, inventive and resourceful.
OUR COURSE PROGRESSION
Every kid is unique and has different interests, so feel free to shoot us an email at hello@saturdaykids.com to have a chat about what a personalised progression path might look like for your curious kid.
Learn human-centred design to build mobile apps with Thunkable.
App Architects: Design & Code Your App
Build on your Python skills and apply it to a physical context of microcontrollers & electronics.
Make with micro:bit & Python
Learn how to code in the language Dropbox, Google and Instagram were built on — Python Programming.
Puzzle Out with Python Programming
Build a solid foundation of hardware & software with Pi-top and Python!
Back to Basics: From Zeroes to Python Heroes
Create a 3D game in Kodu, and learn how to make the coolest mods in Minecraft.
Mod & Hack 3D Games with Minecraft & Kodu
Explore the intricate art of game design and development to take your games to a whole new level with Scratch!
GAME ON! Scratch Masters Design Your Own Game
Assemble your computer and code up your own music, animations and art to be a Rock Star Code DJ!
Become a Rock Star Code DJ
Learn to code with code blocks and invent actual gadgets with your own micro-computer!
Code & Invent with micro:bit Block
Introductory Robotics & Engineering course that’s all FUN and no suck!
Marvelous Machines & Mechanisms
Harness the power of the Scratch block and learn more about the different civilisations while learning to code!
Start with Scratch: Adventures In Time
Build a machine with Lego Wedo and program it with Scratch to create a mechanical masterpiece!
Bring Your Lego to Life with Code
Mini coders rejoice! It’s time to get groovy programming BeeBot, coding your own animation with Scratch Jr.
Tiny Techies 1 & 2
Explore a series of 4 immersive experiences geared towards inspiring and engaging kids about tech!
Curious Cubs: Explore the Wonders of Tech
OUR KEY COURSES
CHOOSE YOUR CREATIVE CODING ADVENTURE
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“When you see something you build that integrates STEM concepts you learn in school, learning becomes no longer just about results or grades, but about creativity and wonder.”
WHAT KIDS LEARN WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR OWN APP
FROM APP USERS TO APP ARCHITECTS What do kids learn when they make their own mobile app at Saturday Kids? Aside from solid technical skills, a whole lot of creativity, design, and empathy.
As important as technical skills are, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that soft skills and lateral thinking are equally, if not more critical for young people growing up in a VUCA (that’s volatile, uncertain, chaotic and ambiguous) future. And that’s what we want kids ages 11-14 to learn in our new course App Architects: Design & Code Your Own App, which shifts kids from being consumers to human-centered creators of their very own mobile apps. Over 16 hours, kids learn what makes a good mobile app across iOS and Android, and understand how apps have changed the world while simultaneously adapting to it. They practise building different kinds of apps for diverse users using Thunkable, before going on to design and code their very own mobile app that they can then present to their friends and family on the last day of class. Rocket Launcher Huda – who’s also an artist, Mom, and helps to runs non-profit organisation The Codette Project – explains the breadth and depth of what kids learn from this process: "Typically in app-making, there are separate roles for separate functions; there’s no one-man show. But in App Architects, kids learn a bit of everything using Thunkable – user interface design, user experience, and valuable programming skills – essentially taking on 3 different roles.
Citing the example of a teenager who created an app, Vegan Alternatives, to help vegans find food substitutes using Thunkable, Huda is excited about the potential of App Architect to teach kids about programming in an accessible, tangible way that opens doors for them to make a real world impact. “If you really want to revolutionise the world, Thunkable
~ As creators, the potential for kids to change the world through tech is limitless, and learning to architect an app is a great place to start. ~ can make that possible. This course encourages kids to step into the shoes of others who might be different from them and go through the process of understanding their users, defining the purpose of what they’re building, and design their app based on those considerations.” Given the amount of time many kids spend in front of screens – whether it’s a computer, television or mobile phone – as with any activity or hobby, the quality of screen time matters as much as its
- Huda, Rocket Launcher (Curriculum Developer)
quantity. Technologists like John Naughton have cautioned users against being “passive consumers of closed devices and services, leading lives that are increasingly circumscribed by technologies created by elites working for huge corporations… breeding generations of hamsters for the glittering wheels of cages.” The flipside of this is that digital literacy and leveraging technology creatively can be immensely empowering and critical for kids who have to navigate a world increasingly shaped by design agendas that users may be impervious to. As Huda explains, “More often than not, kids are consumers of their phones and on the front end of interactions. Being able to take ownership of what they build makes a huge difference – they learn first-hand that every product in the world was designed with a user in mind; nothing is random, whether it’s font size or the placement of elements. Aside from learning to build apps, the next time they interact with an app, they’ll understand that things don’t just exist for the sake of it; everything is engineered with intention.”
place to start. It’s the apps that have made simple but significant improvements to its users lives that inspire us - apps like Forest which encourages users to reduce their tech dependence by planting actual trees on their behalf as an incentive for unplugging; and Be My Eyes which connects visually-impaired people with volunteers around the world who offer remote visual assistance. At Saturday Kids, we believe kids are inventing the future – and we can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with. Programming aside, the key takeaway for kids from App Architects, says Huda, is about empathy and applying it through user interface and user experience.
App Architects: Design & Code Your Own App is open to all kids ages 11-14, with no prerequisites. Scan to check out the full course description.
As creators, the potential for kids to change the world through tech is limitless, and learning to architect an app is a great
POSTCARDS FROM A CREATIVE CODER
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIST What does creative code look like in the real world? Or rather, what can creative code look like in the real world? The possibilities are pretty much infinite, but we asked our Chief Tinkerer, GP – a creative technologist by profession – to walk us through a day in his life to demystify what a creative programmer can do with coding superpowers.
A creative technologist is a position that has emerged in the tech and creative field in recent years. It is an attempt to label a kind of general problem solver, someone who can design, program and build projects with a strong human experience component. A creative technologist often acts as a bridge between a creative team and software development, helping communicate design intent and making all teams aware of new possibilities. These are a handful of my recent projects:
CURIOSIT Y CHRONICLES
• A robot kiosk that pours you a perfect drink
• A 15m tall LED tree with 9,000 leaves and 77,000 individual LED elements
• An object detection table that teaches people about surgical robots by letting them try different surgical procedures
A Creative Technologist’s Superpowers Being a creative technologist requires awareness and experience across multiple areas, such as the following: • Research and innovation: A key part of my daily work is keeping up with innovations in the field, and understanding how the team might use it. • Code: In addition to typical programming languages, I also work with tools specific to audio, video and interactive development,
which allow you to go from idea to prototype very quickly, and then continue to build it into a final system. • Electronics: Building interactive experiences benefits from being able to offer new and different ways for users to interact; this means being able to connect different sensors and output mechanisms. Since these are often new and customised, a creative technologist needs to be able to conceptualise, design and build them. This requires a practical level of understanding of electronics. Knowing where to get parts is a key skill! • Fabrication: Since the software and electronics are novel, chances are that physically building a piece will be challenging. A creative technologist is often familiar with different prototyping and building techniques. 3D printers and laser cutters are usually not far away! • Design: Sometimes the best way to communicate what you are trying to
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SATURDAY KIDS IN CAMBODIA
CODING CATS AND THE NEED TO KEEP KIDS CURIOUS Earlier in 2019, we wrapped the pilot of Coding Cats in Phnom Penh, Cambodia – running free coding classes for 100 Cambodian youth - where we celebrated the brave teenagers who embarked on this adventure with us! This is our team's reflection on impact and why we have to keep kids curious. Our journey began when we handpicked 15 Cambodians change-makers who were passionate about kids and education, trained them in Saturday Kids pedagogy, and worked together to craft a curriculum that would get Cambodian teenagers curious and excited about the potential of technology as creators. Over 60% of them hadn’t used a computer before, few of them had prior exposure to coding, and we were astonished to find out that one of them travelled from her province, 1.5 hours from the city to get to class every week. Given all this, we couldn’t be prouder of the students who graduated from the programme with creative Scratch projects they made, well, from Scratch. Here, instructor Kosoma – who also manages Communications at Impact Hub Phnom Penh – reflects on the challenges she experienced as a child growing up in Cambodia, and the need to keep kids curious. 1. Curiosity is stopped at childhood.
When I was young, I was known as a curious kid who always asked a lot of questions. However, the most common answer I’d get from my parents was “You are so young. You don’t have to know this yet. When you grow up, you will learn.” So eventually I stopped asking; I stopped being curious, and I stopped trying to find the answers – because I expected that I would know them one day. Right now, I have a nephew – also a curious 4 year old kid! When my sister’s busy, I often hear her respond to him, “Vong Vong (that’s his name)! Mom is busy. Can you stop asking?” This might sound a little rude in English but it comes across pretty typically in Khmer, I guess because we hear these sentences often from our parents. Personally, I think these are the little things we don’t notice every day that kill the curiosity of our kids. 2. Equating grades with success. When I was young, my mother promised
that if my grades were within the top 5 in my class, she would get me a pencil case. It was considered fancy to own one back then! I didn’t care about why I really needed to study – I studied for my pencil case, and then for a fancy bag, a trendy pair of shoes, and a bicycle. To my parents, being within the top 5 in my class meant success in life. To me, being within the top 5 in my class meant winning a fancy pencil case. 3. Moving through the system without direction. This mindset I learned led me to perceive the goal of education differently, shaped by our education system. I was expected to progress from Grade 1 to Grade 2, to pass the big standardised test in Grade 9 to jump into Grade 12, and then apply to university straight away – despite not knowing what I wanted to study. Because of these social pressures and expectations, I’d told myself to just study first, and so the cycle continued. In my country, the education system is about moving from teacher to teacher, from one subject to another, from Grade 1 to Grade 2; it doesn’t seem to give students the chance or space to get to know themselves, try something new, be curious and creative, or choose the path they want. But I believe it’s these experiences that will teach children the practical and essential skills they need to solve the world’s problems.
Learning to code aside, through Coding Cats we’re teaching students to respond to these challenges, through developing the courage to try new things, critical thinking, and creativity and imagination." At Saturday Kids, we believe education should enable kids to dream bigger, connect the dots, and make the world a better place, and with the help of our awesome team of Papa and Mama Cats – Thearith, Bunrong, Arky, Dalya, Thyka, Kama, Voneat, Rithykol, Ladang, Vantharith, Cheangy, Rasmey, Manith, Sovichet, and Kosoma – and the support of our partner Raintree Cambodia and sponsor Development Innovations, we’re hopeful that we’ve taken baby steps towards doing just that. This is just the start of Saturday Kids’ digital literacy adventure in Cambodia to cultivate kids’ problem-solving, creative, and critical thinking skills through coding! Curious about what’s next? Stay tuned for more stories and updates coming soon!
Check out our previous postcard about what we learned during our previous recce fieldtrip to Phnom Penh.
achieve is by building it. It is important to understand that good design is not only about inventing something, but communicating it to others as well. Prototyping is essential! (continued from page 6)
are key to the kinds of things creative technologists work on, since they refer to the user! In creative technology projects, the types of interaction you will design are often very different from a mouse or keyboard, or touchscreen.
• User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI): While UX and UI are important to all software design, they
• Human interaction and experience: At the end of the day, the projects we work on are all about creating memorable
Being a Creative Technologist centres around innovation, design, tinkering, and most important of all - people.
experiences for people. This requires going beyond keyboard and screen, to experiences that engage people with movement and all the senses. • Teamwork: Given the wide range of skills involved in creative technology, it’s nearly impossible to be an expert in all of them therefore, teamwork is essential. A Day in My Life There is no such thing as a typical day in creative technology. Instead, here is what my work might entail on any given day: • Meet with client, understand goals • Break down components • Design user experience and devices • Make electronics • Program software • Communicate with my team My Advice to Young Learners
If this sounds interesting to you, here are some important things to keep in mind. 1. Focus on people: At the end of the day, these experiences are being made for people and it’s critical to understand how it works for them. 2. Teamwork and communication: Being able to work and communicate with a team is key, and a huge part of successful team working is communication - drawing, rendering, prototyping and speaking clearly. 3. Innovation: Since these are often very new projects, they involve significant
Read more from GP's series - Postcards from a Creative Coder: Dispatches from San Francisco - on our blog. Scan code to teleport! SATURDAY KIDS
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FRIENDS OF SATURDAY KIDS: ANLI OF ETONHOUSE JAPAN
WHAT KIDS LEARN WHEN THEY UNPLUG IN NATURE Meet Anli: friend of Saturday Kids, director of EtonHouse Japan, outdoor enthusiast and dad to Kaishi (10) and Taisei (4). Also a lead instructor for Saturday Kids Unplugged Summer Camp in Japan (organised in partnership with EtonHouse Japan), he spends weeks on end in Japan’s national parks introducing little ones to the great outdoors – an experience that is every bit as meaningful and exhausting as it sounds.
Based in Tokyo, we chat about what prompted his switch from a career in finance to education, why he’s an advocate for outdoor education, and what he wants kids to take away from the experience of going unplugged. Hi Anli! What’s your story, and what sparked your passion for outdoor education? I’ve always enjoyed sports and being outdoors. A friend introduced me to triathlons, and when I moved from Singapore to Japan (I’m half-Japanese!), I started going to different places in Japan to do triathlons and really got to love nature. Going for races all over Japan allowed me to see different parts of Japan, and appreciate different types of nature all over the country. When my first son was about 3 years old, I started taking him camping. City life and going to malls in Tokyo had begun to bore me, which prompted me to try camping with my family. I noticed that he really loved being in nature, and it was like he was a totally different person. He was always so happy there, and wanted me to take him back again and again. This made me wonder why kids are so fascinated by nature and I began to further research into it. From your inquiry into the pedagogy of nature, as well as your experience with your own kids and with other schoolchildren: what do kids learn from the great outdoors,
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and why do they love it?
they could do that in a city.
Kids are fascinated by the fact that nature is always changing. A shopping mall is the same every month – nothing changes. But you could go to the same park or campsite and it’s always different.
I see this in my own kids who are now 4 and 10 years old. We began taking them out in nature when they were very young, and I think they’re more confident than most kids their age; they dare to challenge themselves and try new things.
There’s changes in the weather – on days after it’s rained you see different things coming out of the ground; on sunny days you see more dragonflies. Kids get curious about all the science behind nature. For example, observing and learning about bugs, asking how they fly and why they exist. Digging up dirt, looking at rocks. Putting things into fire and watching the natural reaction. Through this, they also learn a lot about the
~ Kids are fascinated by the fact that nature is always changing. ~
You used to work in finance in Hong Kong and Singapore. What led you to switch paths in your career – from finance to education? When we moved to Tokyo, my wife and I did research into preschools and couldn’t find one that we were satisfied with. When we learned about EtonHouse and their approach to education, we decided to set up a school in Tokyo. Their curriculum was child-responsive, child-driven, not topdown and not teacher-directed – I could immediately feel the difference. EtonHouse was also one of the pioneers in using the Reggio Emilia approach which leverages kids’ natural curiosity to help them reach their potential. Our teachers
coexistence on which ecosystems thrive. And then there’s soft skills like confidence and resilience. Climbing a tree or a little hill or crossing a river are challenges to young children, and when they take those risks, they gain confidence in themselves. In a natural environment, when they go for hikes or a long walk, they tend to forget they’re walking for such a long distance. Or they could be running around a grass patch for hours. Somehow, I don’t think
“Academic skills won’t be so important in the future. What’s more important is building children’s character – each child is different, and each child is a genius in their own way.”
look deeply into children’s interests and listen to their thoughts, preferences, and character, to craft programmes based around their needs. Each child is different, and so to bring all these children together to run a programme is not easy. That’s where our teachers’ strengths come in – they’re able to listen and also provide the space for the children to express themselves. What do you want kids to take away from the experience of going unplugged? Ultimately, for kids to be themselves! For them to embrace the freedom to explore, and to make new friends. They’ll get to do many different activities they’ll enjoy, and I believe that when they enjoy themselves they can learn a lot. And 5-10 years down the road, I hope they’ll remember the time they spent there and how much fun they had. I’ll always remember this child who arrived at camp on Day 1 with her mother and
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HEAR FROM MOMO ON EDUCATION, COMMUNITY AND IMPACT
"I AM A SATURDAY KID. NOT A WORKER."
refused to separate from her – she told her mother that she was scared of bugs. It was very difficult for her the first few days, she wasn’t used to it. When her mother left, the child was just sitting there by herself. It took some time – we need to give kids time to adjust to new environments – but on the last day of camp, she was touching and holding bugs and showing them to her Mum! It really shows that nature can deeply change a child’s mindset. If you were to write an open letter to other parents, what would it say? I would encourage parents not to conform with traditional education or to the system that they’re in.
~ I haven’t met a child who doesn’t thrive in the outdoors yet. ~ Academic skills won’t be so important in the future. What’s more important is building children’s character – each child is different, and each child is a genius in their own way.
Momo was part of the team that launched Saturday Kids Japan. Earlier this year, she volunteered in Greece to teach classes based on the Saturday Kids curriculum to kids in refugee camps in Greece. In this piece she shares her perspective on why education and community are powerful forces for impact.
“What do you like about being a kid?” I asked in a class. “I like being a kid because I don’t need to go to work,” several kids answered. How do we feel about children already recognising work as a non-attractive activity? I used to have the same thoughts as these children. I thought working was like being in a cage where birds cannot fly. Not only because of the lack of space, but also because they’d lost their wings. So I went my way. I led a simple life in a community in Thailand for a while and explored my own world, until one day, I realised that my heart was drawn to a small group of orphaned children who were excluded from local schools. That was the first time I recognised inequality in education first-hand. The teenagers believed that they only had one choice for their lives – collecting trash and selling it to a recycling centre to make a living. How will kids have dreams without role models showing them the possibilities for their futures?
My wish is for parents to promote their own child according to their strengths, not according to the education system. Because the system presupposes all kids are the same, kids are graded according to their ability to finish the same test. But that’s not right.
When I stayed in a different village in the southern mountains of Thailand, I asked the children from this village to draw their dream houses. All of them drew solar panels and home-biogas digesters in their pictures. Their village doesn’t have electricity, so the leaders of the village invented off-grid ecosystems for the inhabitants of the community.
My advice to parents is to focus on their own child and shut out what other parents are saying.
These two experiences gave me clarity about the importance of nourishing the future generation.
Don’t compare children to each other because each child is a genius in their own way. Just focus on their strengths and what they like to do – don’t get hung
I then saw from two perspectives: one without adults mentoring children; the other with a community educating children. It was quite obvious how different kids’ visions for their future then were.
In my opinion, Saturday Kids creates communities that are similar to the one in the mountains, which gives innovative ideas and positive impact for future generations. For almost one year now, I’ve been involved with launching Saturday Kids Japan. When I met the Saturday Kids Singapore team for the first time, my first impression was “relaxed but professional”. I used to think professionalism was about people who used posh words, sent messages without emojis, and wore formal clothes, but the Saturday Kids team proved to me that professionalism doesn’t come from any of that. My impression was that Saturday Kids values, attitudes and beliefs are so vivid that people naturally try their very best to make things happen in the organisation. That organically brings professionalism into the culture.
~ No child deserves to be left behind. We are the example for the next generation. ~ After several months of “working” with SK team, there was a moment when something lit up the path to my dream. Until then, I believed that my values and the business world could never come together. The Saturday Kids spirit made me realise there is beauty in both worlds, and that they can co-exist to create a greater impact in the world. That’s how I found my role in ameliorating inequality in education.
Caravan as an executive director. The children who come to Happy Caravan are survivors who have faced many life challenges. When I imagine the children who made or will make their way to European schools, my heart aches and starts to feel nervous. Are they ready for that challenge? What can Happy Caravan do to prepare children for these challenges? One of the responsibilities of Happy Caravan is to be a light amidst the challenges faced by the children, their families, and their community. Happy Caravan has a vision to start more schools all over the world, and to one day give access to education to children like those in the orphanage in Thailand as well. Messages from the Saturday Kids manifesto stayed with me and gave me confidence when I struggled throughout this journey of launching SK Japan. Those values are essential to becoming compassionate leaders. My life could be a bridge between the worlds. I believe that the spirit of Saturday Kids will stay with me wherever I go. I will keep having fun, being relaxed but always professional. “Work” can no longer be boring because we make it fun. One day, I would like to see children who learned at Saturday Kids and Happy Caravan become compassionate leaders who create a positive impact on society.
You can learn more about Happy Caravan at www.happycaravan.org, or connect with Momo at momoko@happy-caravan.org to find out how you can support their work!
There is an organisation called Happy Caravan that serves children living in refugee camps in Greece – starting this October, I will be involved with Happy
We had so much fun running our first edition of Saturday Kids Unplugged where 25 curious kids joined us for an outdoor adventure in nature in Karuizawa, Japan! The next run of Saturday Kids Unplugged in Japan takes place in June 2020, and spots are limited. Find out more and register right here:
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HEAR FROM BIG KID SI HUI
WHAT I LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING WITH CODE IN THE COMMUNITY In October 2019, we concluded our last run of Code in the Community – our Google-sponsored initiative bringing free coding classes to kids from lower-income families in Singapore – for the year! Since the programme’s inception in 2017, we’ve seen all kinds of volunteers help to run classes across the island: students, hardcore techies, educators, parents, and more. Our own (non-technical) videographer Si Hui volunteered to assist Scratch classes for kids ages 8-11 – here she shares her experience as a non-technical, first-time instructor, getting kids started learning to code.
Hi there! I’m Si Hui, and here’s some background information about me: I’m a motion graphics designer at Saturday Kids.
CODE IN THE COMMUNITY IN NUMBERS: Since 2017, we've organised
7 runs 31 locations 120 classes 1060 volunteers. Most importantly, we've impacted
> 2300 kids from lower-income families.
JOIN US IN 2020 Know any curious kids from disadvantaged backgrounds who'd benefit from free coding classes? We're recruiting participants as well as passionate volunteers looking to make a difference. Follow us on Facebook at @codeinthecommunity or scan the code below to learn more:
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I don’t code (I’m trying to!). I have the personality of a lobster. So how did a socially-awkward motion graphics designer with just self-taught programming skills end up volunteering as an assistant instructor for Code in the Community? It started with Shreya and Michael jokingly asking if anyone at Saturday Kids wanted to help out with the Scratch classes. Teaching has always been an interest of mine, but I’ve never given it serious consideration. I decided I had nothing to lose by trying it out, and I’m glad I took the plunge. The most stressful part of the entire process was probably applying to be a volunteer. It was a busy period for me — juggling work, two travel itineraries, and learning to use Scratch. For the Scratch volunteer application, we had to create an ‘Avoid the Falling Objects’ game. I got carried away while exploring Scratch and went off-topic by building a ‘Catch the Falling Objects’ game instead. Oops. I ended up creating a second game that better adhered to the requirements. Fast forward to Day 1 at Jurong Regional Library: “Wow, that’s a lot of kids, how are we going to manage?” was probably what I was thinking. It was hectic, trying to get everyone’s name, asking parents if they’d be back to pick their kids up when the class ends, and low-key freaking out about sending
a kid off with the wrong parent — all while other kids were streaming into the Pixel Lab. But it turns out that my worries were unfounded, thanks to the help provided by the library staff, our location coordinator, and all the volunteers. (Speaking of volunteers, I was stoked to find out that one of them was a previous
~ How did a socially-awkward motion graphics designer with just self-taught programming skills end up volunteering as an assistant instructor for Code in the Community? ~ beneficiary of Code in the Community!) Throughout the entire run, I got to witness lots of growth from the kids — Nirupan, who initially struggled with concepts, ended up helping and encouraging his friend who was feeling nervous before the presentation. Avya, who got over her fear of failure and built her project on her own at home. Aufa, who missed a class, had his Mom email us for help with his project. Shreenithi, who was terrified of speaking in front of a full room, yet didn’t shy away from presenting when it was her turn. The list goes on… but you get the idea. It was extremely heart-warming to see the kids and their parents pour their time and dedication into the programme. Watching each child persevere and overcoming the various challenges they faced was inspiring — it kept me motivated and
looking forward to each week’s session despite everything else that was on my plate. You know how as we grow up, there are those little memories that stick with us throughout the years? It could be a funny incident, an inspiring story, or even a simple compliment. I hope we were able to give the kids moments like these; experiences they can look back on fondly, that might even help shape them into better versions of themselves. I know that embarking on this journey has done that for me, and for that I am grateful. Special thanks to everyone who helped out at Jurong Regional Library — you guys are wonderful, reliable people and I’m so lucky to have met and be part of such an amazingly dedicated team. Psst! To any aspiring volunteers reading this, please don’t hesitate to sign up!
We’re inspired by and grateful for volunteers like Si Hui who dedicate hours of their weekends getting kids excited about the potential of tech. If you’re curious about volunteering for Code in the Community, scan the code below, or write to us at citc@saturdaykids.com.
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WHAT’S ON! Workshops, weekly classes and holiday camps to keep your kids curious throughout the year.
Unplug with us at our Summer Camp in Japan in June 2020. Over 4 days of immersion in nature, kids ages 4-12 pick up basic outdoor skills and learn about the wonders of wilderness, in Karuizawa, Japan. Find out more: www.saturdaykids.com/unplugged
Camp Curiosity is a state of mind. Our creative coding courses are designed to transform kids ages 5-14 into curious, self-directed learners. Registration is open for our 2019 Nov/Dec holiday camps and our 2020 Term 1 weekly classes that run from Jan-March.
Promos!
Register online: www.saturdaykids.com/schedule
Enjoy $15 off full-priced Term 1 Weekly Classes using the promo code “CURIOSITYCHRONICLES”. Terms and conditions apply.
‘Learning.’ Comic by Fong Yee, @afwhye
Editor’s Note: We hope that you’ve enjoyed Issue 1 of the Curiosity Chronicles! If you found this interesting and relevant, we’d love for you to pass this copy along to a friend once you’re done.
Scan the QR code to read Issue 0 if you missed it!
We’d love to hear any comments or feedback you have - email us and follow our adventures on our blog and social media. Deets below. ‘Til the next issue, stay curious!
Don’t be a stranger hello@saturdaykids.com saturdaykids.com/blog +65 3159 0980 SaturdayKidsSG Saturday_Kids
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HEY KIDS! The more you ask, the more you learn, You'd be surprised what you get in return. Our golden rule: Don't be a fool, Continue to learn, even outside school. Don't fear the new, try what scares you, Gotta make the climb to enjoy the view. It’s fine to fail but just don’t bail, The 2nd time’s easier for you to prevail.
Listen to your parents but not too much, Break rules a little and add your own touch. Who cares what others think about, Why fit in when you're born to stand out.
Don't grow up too fast, make childhood last, Because this part's seriously the blast! Stay Curious, Inventive & Resourceful
The big kids
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