#Japan #Tokyo #NPO #Programming Education #micro:bit

Get Ready for an Exciting Summer!

This summer promises to be inspiring and educational for children in Kita-ku as they participate in the "Free Summer Programming Workshop," hosted by the NPO Programming Education Institute in collaboration with the Kita-ku Board of Education. Aimed at local elementary and junior high school students, this workshop encourages kids to engage with technology and creativity.

Workshop Details

The workshop will be held on three Sundays: August 2, 16, and 23, 2026. Each session starts at 2:00 PM and lasts until 3:30 PM, with doors opening an hour early. The venue for these sessions is Kitakopia, located at 1-11-1 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo.

What to Expect

During this workshop, students will work with tools such as Micro:bit, servo motors, and the programming software "Kitaracchi" to create functioning robots and digital creations. These projects not only serve as exciting summer activities but can also be submitted as research projects for school or entered directly into the upcoming "9th Kita-ku Children's Programming Contest."

Last year, the 8th contest saw an impressive range of 31 unique creations, including a JR line train conductor simulator, delivery and collection robots, and even a cheerful rabbit character. This year, the institute aims to support the children as they explore their creativity and excitement in programming.

Key Features

One major highlight of this workshop is that students can complete their contest entries on-site. The previous year's contest awarded top-notch prizes, such as high-performance laptops, motivating many students to partake actively. In each session, instructors and staff will provide personalized advice on how to enhance their projects and transform ideas into functional programming. Children who may feel uncertain about entering the contest alone will gain confidence and be equipped to submit their creations by the end of the workshop.

How to Participate

The workshop is free of charge, with materials like Micro:bit and servo motors available for loan. However, children are required to bring either their school-provided tablet or a fully-charged laptop. Due to limited space, there will be a participant cap of 30, chosen by lottery. Please note that parent seating may not be guaranteed this year due to venue constraints, and observation may be limited depending on participation levels.

To enroll, interested parties should fill out the registration form available here. The registration deadline is July 10, 2026, and participants will be informed of the lottery results via email on July 11, 2026.

About the NPO Programming Education Institute

Founded in April 2017 and led by Director Koichi Ito, the NPO Programming Education Institute is dedicated to fostering the creative and logical thinking skills of children through programming classes and support for information education in schools. The institute strives to actively contribute to building a healthy and informed society by working closely with communities and schools. They are also looking for volunteer staff to assist in workshop management and support.

For more information, visit the official website. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity for kids to immerse themselves in programming this summer!