REDLANDS students are being prepared for the jobs of the future with the third annual Premier's Coding Challenge, launched this week.
Education Minister Grace Grace set the challenge to students in years 3 to 10, who were tasked with coding an innovative and interactive digital solution to raise awareness of cybersafety and provide useful tips for staying safe online.
Entrants can submit an app, game, animation, website or robotic prototype, along with a short video explaining their entry.
Entries will be assessed by a panel of judges from government, education and industry, with $10,000 in prizes on offer to winners.
Ms Grace said the popular challenge was an initiative of the Government’s Advancing education action plan.
“We are committed to shaping our students into global citizens and preparing them for the jobs of the future, which is what this challenge is all about,” Ms Grace said.
“It’s also an exciting, fun and engaging way to get children involved in STEM."
The number of schools signed up to the Premier's Coding Challenge grew from 23 in 2017 to 121 in 2018, with individual entries also rising from 46 to 215.
Ms Grace said this increase showed the emphasis schools placed on coding, creativity and entrepreneurship skills of the next generation.
She said this year’s challenge would be based around cybersafety awareness.
“In 2019, students will be challenged to consider the importance of our digital footprint (which is) the trail of online data we leave, and how to keep it secure,” Ms Grace said.
“Students are being asked to code an innovative and interactive digital solution to raise awareness of cybersafety, providing useful tips for Queenslanders."
For information on how to enter the Premier’s Coding Challenge visit qld.gov.au/codingcompetition
