Premier’s coding challenge to new generation of digital creators

Standing up to cyberbullies is the theme of this year’s Premier’s coding competition.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk launched the competition at Bremer State High School in Ipswich and laid down the challenge to Queensland students to develop a game, app, animation or another digital project using Cybersafety Heroes.

“The completion this year will focus on Anti-Bully Girl, who is a member of the Cybersafety Heroes.

“We want to see students from Years 3 to 10 creating digital heroes to teach others how to handle online bullies and be safe and secure online,” the Premier said.

““I want to encourage as many Queensland students as possible to embrace this challenge and enter the competition.

“We want to support all Queensland schools and students to engage in coding and be digitally literate and I know that there’s a new generation out there who can combine imagination and digital expertise to create brilliant results.”

The Premier was joined by Education Minister Grace Grace today with Bremer’s winning Year 8 team from last year’s competition.

“The Creating Queensland’s Future coding competition was about fostering a new generation of digital creators and entrepreneurs,” Minister Grace said.

“The competition helps schools to engage students in learning that gives them the skills and knowledge to participate successfully in a technology rich, global economy.

“We are accepting entries from students in Years 3 and 4 for the first time this year so we can engage this younger age group in the important skill of coding. Winners will be announced in Term 3 and share in $5000 worth of technology prizes.

“This coding competition is just one initiative in our Advancing education action plan, which addresses the importance of equipping our students with the skills they’ll need for jobs of the future.”

Bremer State High School Executive Principal Kay Louwrens said the school’s winning team of girls were part of the Year 7-9 Science Extension Program and were achieving great things in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

 “These girls really are amazingly talented and highly motivated students,” Ms Louwrens said.

“I hope their win last year will inspire more of our students to enter the coding competition this year.

“Our students are really engaging with science through technology like our virtual reality lab, our drones, coding courses and 3D printers.”

The deadline for entries in the 2018 competition is Tuesday 19 June.

For information on how to enter the Premier’s Creating Queensland’s Future coding competition visit: qld.gov.au/codingcompetition and #code4qld.

Media Contact

Premier's Office            Shane Doherty 0439 624 473

Minister Grace's Office  Adrian Taylor    0448 994 172