Minecraft club goes from strength to strength.

In September the ICT department launched a coding (computer programming) enrichment club.  We have since introduced Minecraft and the spring term saw the biggest numbers yet.   ICT classrooms packed with avid students crafting and playing Minecraft on a weekly basis.

Pawel Chilkiewicz in year 7 has been a key student in helping the ICT department set up the club. Whilst the ICT department facilitates the club Pawel often leads sessions; teaching his peers how to craft. 

There are many opportunities at BCA to get involved in coding.  The ICT department are taking a selection of year 7, 8 and 9 students to ‘World Scratch Day’ at the National Football museum in Manchester on Saturday 9^th May where students will take part in workshops to learn how Scratch can be used to control a Scratch based football game and using Scratch to read sheet music.

If you would like to find out more about coding club speak to a member of staff from the ICT department.

The club takes place in C3, Wednesday’s from 2.35pm until 3.35pm – Come and join us.

Word: Deprecate

Synonyms: Criticise, condemn, belittle

How it can be used in a sentence: Our teacher is respectful; he does not deprecate his students.

Word: Meticulous

Synonyms: Careful, Accurate

How it can be used in a sentence: Meticulous planning is essential when going on holiday.

Word: Pragmatic

Synonyms: Practical, realistic, logical

How it can be used in a sentence: Be pragmatic when preparing for exams.

Word: Modicum

Synonyms: Smidgen, Bit

How it can be used in a sentence: I was pleased with the overall response and collectively we felt a modicum of relief

STEM Pathways – amazing Boston trip to see the world’s best STEM projects.

In 2016 pupils who are on a STEM pathway at BCA will have the opportunity to visit Boston, USA to see some of the worlds most cutting edge STEM research and projects.

On a week-long trip our future medics, vets, engineers, computer programmers and all the STEM pathway pupils will visit MIT (the world’s most prestigious Science and Technology University), Lowell Robotics laboratory, sleep overnight at Boston Science Museum, sequence DNA in a University master class and so many other amazing opportunities.

As well as visiting the city of Boston we may combine the trip with a visit to New York City to see the sights that ‘the city that never sleeps’ has to offer.

You will need to be part of the STEM Pathways at BCA to be part of this incredible opportunity

Coder Dojo – Saturday the 7^th March saw our biggest Dojo yet at BCA! Coder Dojo is a worldwide volunteer organisation that allows children to code, hack, build computers and try new technology in all its forms. Their only rule? Be Cool.

The Warrington Coder Dojo has been asked to blog about its exciting activities on the international Coder Dojo site coderdojo.com.

This is because we’re doing things no other Dojo in the world is doing. 3D printing, Robotics, laser cutting and all kinds of coding especially in the world of Minecraft!

Lots of kids want to design computer games and we can teach them how to do it. Mums and Dads are welcome to learn alongside their ‘ninjas’ and it’s suitable for ages 7-17.

Click here to view the BCA Dojo Blog

Click here to view the  Warrington Guardian piece on the Dojo

Word: Intrepid

Synonyms: Fearless, bold, heroic

How it can be used in a sentence: The explorer was praised for his intrepid attitude.

Word: Vanity

Synonyms: Arrogance, egotism

How it can be used in a sentence: Her vanity is obvious.