Sixth Form Students Explore the World of Coding and Space with Hour of Code and Raspberry Pi Astro Pi Missions

Students in A Level Computer Science and Cambridge Technical Level 3 in IT at The Sixth Form are embarking on an exciting journey into the fields of coding and space science through their regular participation in the Hour of Code initiative and two cutting-edge Raspberry Pi missions—Astro Pi Zero and Astro Pi Mission Space Lab. Led by Simon Withey, Computer Science Lecturer, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, STEM Ambassador, and a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, this program encourages students to take on real-world challenges, develop essential skills, and even send their code to space.

The Hour of Code introduces students to foundational coding concepts through interactive sessions, making programming accessible, fun, and relevant. This global initiative provides a gateway for students to gain the knowledge and confidence they need for success in today’s tech-driven world.

Beyond Hour of Code, students are also engaging in two ambitious projects with Raspberry Pi in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA):

1. Astro Pi Zero
   Now in its sixth consecutive year at Furness College, Astro Pi Zero enables students to code simple experiments that are deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) using a Raspberry Pi computer. This mission invites young coders to devise experiments that gather data from space, encouraging them to think critically and creatively about data science, experiment design, and coding. Participating in Astro Pi Zero has become an annual highlight for students, offering a rare chance to see their work applied in a truly out-of-this-world environment.

2. Astro Pi Mission Space Lab
   This year marks the college’s second involvement in the Astro Pi Mission Space Lab, a more advanced mission that challenges students to develop scientific experiments to be conducted aboard the ISS. Working collaboratively, students design and code experiments that can utilise environmental sensors and cameras on the ISS to capture data on topics like Earth observation and life in space. Once approved, these experiments will be carried out on the space station, allowing students to analyse real data from space in pursuit of scientific insights. Last year, out of the 294 successful projects submitted to the ISS 2 of those came from The Sixth Form at Furness College.

Simon Withey MCCT MBCS FCCT, and Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, who leads these initiatives, said, “Astro Pi and Hour of Code give our students unique opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world situations, from troubleshooting space-based experiments to coding for everyday applications. Through these programs, our students gain skills that are essential for the future, while having the chance to work on projects with an incredible level of reach and impact.”

The Sixth Form’s commitment to initiatives like Hour of Code and the Astro Pi missions reflects its dedication to providing future-focused learning experiences. Under Simon Withey’s tutelage, students develop valuable technical skills and cultivate curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of ambition.