Leitrim County Council is inviting parents and children aged 7 to 12 to explore coding technology together through a series of free, family-friendly sessions as part of Science Week 2025, which runs from November 9th to November 16th.

The OurKidsCode workshops will take place across the county at Leitrim's Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) and libraries.

OurKidsCode is a nationwide programme developed by a research team at Trinity College Dublin that helps families learn about technology in an enjoyable, hands-on way. No experience is needed - just a laptop and a willingness to learn something new.

The workshops are most suitable for children aged 7 to 12, but everyone is welcome.

Leitrim County Council has been supporting the programme for 18 months, and it has already proved a hit in Leitrim communities, with excellent feedback from parents and children alike.

During Science Week 2025, the two-hour workshops will take place in Leitrim's libraries and BCPs, giving families across the county an opportunity to discover how coding can spark creativity, build problem-solving skills and boost confidence.

As well as being a fun and stimulating way for families to spend time with each other, these educational sessions help to address the urban/rural divide by bringing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities to families in rural Ireland.

In time, initiatives like OurKidsCode could open doors for future opportunities for people to live and work in their home counties, as so many careers in computing and technology can be done from home. The workshops have also seen significant numbers of girls shine in the fun environment, which could lead to a higher take-up of STEAM careers for young women.

Martina Gilmartin, facilitator of the OurKidsCode programme in Leitrim, said:

"Working as a facilitator with OurKidsCode here in Leitrim, it has been lovely to see parents and children sitting together, laughing, creating, problem-solving, and being proud of what they achieve as a family.

"In this very tech-savvy world, many parents worry about children spending too much time on screens. OurKidsCode offers something completely different - active, creative computer time rather than passive screen time. Coding helps children to think, to problem solve, to plan and sequence, to make patterns and to persevere. In truth, it is about more than coding. It is about connection - between parents and children, between families and communities, and between creativity and technology."

Nicola Mc Manus, Broadband Officer at Leitrim County Council, said:

"Leitrim County Council are delighted to be part of this very worthwhile initiative with Trinity College and OurKidsCode in bringing coding workshops to young people and their families in County Leitrim. We encourage families to take this opportunity to support our young people to access valuable learning in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths."

Fiona Wheeldon, who participated in an OurKidsCode workshop with her sons, said:

"We really loved the coding workshop provided by OurKidsCode over four days in Manorhamilton library last year. My two sons (5 & 9 at the time) and I learnt lots about Micro:bit, Scratch & Makey Makey - how to use them and where to go to get our own. My kids are still interested in coding now, with the younger one doing some Makey Makey projects, and the older one doing Makecode Arcade at home."

If parents, parent associations, and community groups would like to enquire about hosting Our Kids Code workshops at their local BCPs, they can email nicola.mcmanus@leitrimcoco.ie for further information. To take part or find out more and to register, contact your local library, your nearest BCP, or phone Martina Gilmartin on 087 154 5012.

Families can find more information at www.ourkidscode.ie.

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