Lero, the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre and the Irish Computer Society have launched a transition year module in software development, utilising a program called Scratch for a fun and interesting way to introduce software development to your class of students.  Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy for students to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share their creations on the web.

The registration date for the Scratch competition has been extended to 19th March 2010.  Here are the details of the program and competition:

The materials were developed by teachers for teachers with the support of IT Tallaght and CIO Ireland. The materials are endorsed by the Department of Education and Science, Transition Year Support Service (TYSS) and are being distributed by the Irish Computer Society.

Students will:
•    Learn computer programming
•    Learn mathematical and computational ideas
•    Build their own games, stories, art, music and animation

Teachers will:
•    Pick and choose what to teach from a set of 10 modules to suit their needs
•    Introduce their class to a free software tool called Scratch, developed by the MIT Media Lab
•    Offer new and exciting experience to students

The Scratch competition registration date has been extended to 19th March.
National final prizes- 1st €750, 2nd €500, 3rd €400.
For more information and to register online visit: www.scratch.ie.

For more information on this project please visit our website at www.scratch.ie, email info@scratch.ie or phone: 061 202434.