Queensland students unlock the code to a bright future

A new coding competition for Queensland school students will uncover our emerging digital creators and innovators and drive a new focus on digital learning.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Kate Jones today launched the Premier’s Creating Queensland’s Future Coding Competition for students in Years 5 to 10.

“We are encouraging students at all Queensland schools to get involved and come up with digital solutions to solve real world problems,” the Premier said.

“The competition will develop students’ skills in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and innovation.

“We want more young people to reap the benefits of a quality education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), including coding and robotics.

“With 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations in our state require STEM knowledge it’s vital that our students are prepared for the jobs of the future.

“Students can enter as individuals or a team in three different categories.

“Students can develop their own animation, a game or an interactive map for example, to help Queenslanders to stay safe in the digital age,” she said.

“Our students must have the skills and knowledge to participate successfully in a knowledge-based economy.

“Coding is the new literacy, and we are supporting schools to innovate and engage students in learning that sets them up for a bright future.”

Education Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government was determined to prepare students with skills for the future.

"It joins other initiatives such as establishing the Queensland Coding Academy, an online hub developing teachers’ skills in coding,” Ms Jones said.

“We have also fast tracked the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies in state schools.

“And every year 60 Year 10 students attend our STEM Girl Power camp in conjunction with the World Science Festival.

“And our Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow school grants program is encouraging learning about entrepreneurship, coding and robotics.

“We have also brought cutting edge robotics to Queensland state schools through the Robotics for the Future initiative.”

An expert panel of industry and education experts will help select two individual and one team entry from each category to attend an awards ceremony at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre later in the year.

Media Contacts:

Premier’s Office                   Geoff Breusch           0417 272 875

Minister Jones’ Office          Matt Jutsum              0408 998 940