This week, we’re introducing the world to Dom Fejolupeso: a flying digital bunny. Dom is the result of an incredible collaboration between coding platform Scratch and the Brazilian Creative Learning Network (BCLN). He’s also pixelated proof of the power of learning through play.
What has a bunny got to do with learning?
Dom was created by a class of 8-and 9-year-olds from Escola Dom Matthias in Brazil as part of a Scratch coding project. And he’s a true example of learning in action.
To bring Dom to life, the class brainstormed ideas: trying things, throwing ideas out and trying new ones. That’s classic iterative thinking.
They worked together: each child played a part in creating either a part of Dom or a game or music video that brought him to life. So, the project was socially interactive.
And as for joy? Watch our video and you can see the enthusiasm for coding in the children’s eyes. They’re having fun, they’re getting creative. And the whole class was actively engaged from start to finish. It was a privilege to watch the project unfold.
Now many more schools are introducing coding to the classroom
Thanks to the Scratch and BCLN collaboration, similar coding projects are happening in classrooms all over Brazil. There’s been an extraordinary uptake by teachers – who are using Scratch to bring new ideas to their lessons. I can’t wait to see what their classes create next.
Everyone can have a go at coding
You don’t have to be in Brazil to flex your digital skills. Scratch is available for free in over 70 countries – and children can try it at home as well as in the classroom. The platform’s got everything you need to create stories, games and animations – and share them with the world.
Scratch works best for 8–16-year-olds, but there’s a simplified version called Scratch Jr that gives 5-7-year-olds their first taste of coding, too.
The best bit? Children pick up all kinds of skills as they code, but everything they do feels like fun.
