This year’s theme is ‘My World, Our Planet’.The challenge is to create a reactive game which encourages children to take care of natural resources and improve the environment. The opportunities are endless and the pupils are in charge of the creativity possibilities. The judges are looking for something engaging, fun, interactive and reactive!

What is Young Coders!?

Young Coders 2022 is an initiative for primary schools and secondary schools (years 4-8) aimed at helping pupils and teachers to become more confident with coding skills. Pupils are tasked with making a computer game using Scratch. Any teacher can run this competition and any school can take part, regardless of previous skills in coding or completely new to scratch. All the session planning is provided.

The resources include 12 weeks of lesson planning for absolute beginners (pupils and teachers!) or a shorter 6 week version for those who already have a little experience with using Scratch. These resources can be used as part of the Computing curriculum in school, as part of an extracurricular club or can be used by a parent or guardian.

The theme for 2022 is ‘My World, Our Planet’.

Teams will need to design a reactive computer game using Scratch on the theme of the environment and sustainability. This could be tackling issues which concern pupils locally or tackles issues on a national or global scale. The judges are looking for games which will encourage pupils to look after and improve the environment and conserve natural resources - but creative and imaginative outcomes are also important!

Organised collaboratively by the STEM Ambassador Hub East Midlands, the University of Northampton, Canterbury Christ Church University and STEM Ambassador Hub South East & The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, the competition runs throughout the UK and is free to enter.

How is it judged?

The Young Coders entries are initially submitted to a panel of STEM Ambassadors who judge the entries based on content, functionaltiy and aesthetics. The top 20 entries are then judged using the same criteria by a panel of primary school children and 1st, 2nd and 3rd places awarded.

What’s new for 2022?

After reviewing feedback from YC2021 we have extended the entries to Year 7 and 8.

The competition opens in January 2022 - more information to follow.