CoderDojo

CoderDojo is a not-for-profit organisation founded by James Whelton and entrepreneur Bill Liao.

It first began in James’ school, PBS Cork, in early 2011 when he received extensive publicity after hacking the iPod Nano and younger students expressed an interest in learning how to code.

James set up a computer club where he started teaching basic HTML and CSS. In June 2011, the first CoderDojo was launched in the National Software Centre in Cork where it caught on.

A Dublin Dojo was launched soon after in Google’s Montevetro building, and increasing success led to setting up more Dojos around Ireland and the world. At any CoderDojo, young people learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs and games — all run and taught by volunteers.

“Dojos organise tours of technology companies, bring in guest speakers to talk about their career and what they do, and organise events,” says Whelton.

“In addition to learning to code, members meet like-minded people, show off what they’ve been working on and so on. It makes development and learning to code a fun, sociable, kick-ass experience.”

Each dojo has an average of 50 young people attached, plus mentors and organisers.

“It has been incredible to see how the idea has caught on, across the world,” he says.

Words of wisdom: ‘CoderDojo has just one rule: ‘Above All: Be Cool’’.