The Top 10 Benefits of Learning Coding and Engineering in School: A Guide for Educators and Students
As the world becomes increasingly driven by technology, introducing coding and engineering to students is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity. These subjects are instrumental in developing a range of skills that align perfectly with the National Curriculum. But beyond just meeting curriculum requirements, coding and engineering foster creativity, enhance problem-solving abilities, and prepare students for future careers in a digital economy. Here, we explore ten key benefits of integrating coding and engineering into school education, with a particular focus on how our workshops can support these objectives.
Enhances Problem-Solving Abilities
At the heart of coding and engineering is the need to solve complex problems, a skill that is not only crucial for these subjects but also for broader academic success. The ability to decompose complex tasks into smaller, more manageable parts is emphasized in educational research, highlighting the value of structured problem-solving in boosting students' overall cognitive abilities.
In this context, our Intermediate STEMbotics Workshop provides a hands-on platform for students to engage in these types of challenges, reinforcing analytical thinking as they work through coding and engineering problems based on real-world scenarios.
Builds Confidence Through Hands-On Learning
There’s something deeply empowering about building something from scratch—whether it’s a simple circuit or a fully functioning robot. This process is particularly beneficial in STEM education, where hands-on experiences are shown to significantly enhance students' confidence in their technical abilities.
In our STEMdrones Workshop, students not only learn to code but also gain a tangible sense of accomplishment as they see their drones take flight, a moment that often solidifies their belief in their own capabilities and encourages further exploration of STEM fields.
Fosters Creativity
Creativity is a critical skill that the National Curriculum seeks to develop across subjects, particularly in art, design, and technology. While coding can certainly be a creative outlet, other tech-related fields, such as animation, play a crucial role in fostering creativity.
Our Stop-Motion Animation Workshop teaches students how to animate and tell stories using stop-motion techniques. Engaging in creative activities like this helps students develop innovative thinking skills and enhances their ability to express themselves through visual mediums—skills that are increasingly valued in today’s digital world.
Student uses python text-based coding to navigate a course with a robot.
Prepares Students for Future Careers
The digital skills gap in the UK is a growing concern, with industries across the board in need of tech-savvy employees. Early exposure to coding and engineering is crucial for bridging this gap, which stresses the importance of equipping students with these skills to prepare them for future careers.
We introduce students to Python programming via our Advanced STEMbotics Workshop, providing students with the opportunity to learn and develop skills in a programming language that is routinely used in industry, and is a brilliant ‘gateway’ language for learning other coding languages too. This is all done within a fun learning environment in which students can progress from block-based coding, to build and use Python coding to bring their robots to life.
Encourages Teamwork and Collaboration
Teamwork is not only essential in sports and group projects but is also a critical component of coding and engineering education. The collaborative nature of these subjects is particularly emphasized in research on cooperative learning, which shows that working together on technical projects enhances students' ability to communicate effectively and solve problems as a team.
Our range of workshops mirror this approach, with activities structured around partner and team projects where students must work together to build and program robots, thereby reinforcing the importance of teamwork in real-world tech and engineering environments.
Introduces Real-World Applications
One of the most compelling reasons to teach coding and engineering is their direct applicability to real-world scenarios. Students who understand how their studies connect to real-world applications are more likely to engage with the material and pursue further education in those fields.
Our STEMdrones Workshop and Intermediate STEMbotics workshops perfectly exemplify this by teaching students not just how to code but also how these skills can be applied in industries such as agriculture, filmmaking, and disaster response, making learning both relevant and exciting.
Students at Newport Girls' High School design and code a robot to remove and collect plastic waste.
Teaches Persistence and Resilience
The process of coding is inherently iterative, often involving multiple rounds of trial and error. This approach naturally teaches students valuable lessons in persistence and resilience, as they learn that success often comes after many failed attempts.
Studies supports this, showing that students who engage in coding develop a stronger tolerance for failure and a greater willingness to persevere through challenges. This lesson is central to Hyett Education’s Intermediate STEMbotics Workshop, where students are encouraged to debug their code and tweak their robot designs until it functions correctly, reinforcing the idea that persistence is key to success.
Develops Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a cornerstone of the UK’s educational objectives, and coding is a powerful way to develop this skill. Students must not only understand how to solve problems but also anticipate potential issues and think strategically about solutions.
Research indicates that students who engage in coding activities demonstrate higher levels of critical thinking and problem-solving skills compared to their peers.
Beginner STEMbotics Workshop introduces young students to these concepts early on, helping them to develop the critical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their education.
Students power-up their circuit and watch the impact of their adjustments on their motor and fan.
Improves Academic Performance Across Subjects
A solid understanding of scientific principles is critical for academic success, particularly in subjects like physics and engineering. Our Electricity & Circuits Workshop is specifically designed to align with the UK Science Curriculum for Year 4 and Year 6, focusing on building simple and parallel circuits, and understanding variation in circuits.
This workshop gives students hands-on experience with electronics, directly reinforcing the electricity objectives set out in the curriculum. Practical, experiment-based learning significantly enhances students’ understanding and retention of scientific concepts, making them more adept in STEM subjects overall.
Promotes Lifelong Learning
Coding and engineering are fields that are constantly evolving, making them perfect for fostering a mindset of lifelong learning. It is essential to cultivate lifelong learning habits early, particularly in rapidly changing fields like technology.
From Beginner STEMbotics to Advanced STEMbotics and through to teacher training and computing CPD, our workshops are designed to nurture this mindset, encouraging students to stay curious and continue learning throughout their lives, long after they’ve left the classroom.
Summary
The benefits of integrating coding and engineering into school curriculums are clear. These subjects not only align with the National Curriculum but also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of a digital world. Hyett Education’s workshops are specifically designed by experienced subject specialists to support these educational goals, providing students (and teachers) with the hands-on opportunities they need to thrive both in school and beyond.
By incorporating these workshops into your school’s curriculum, you’re not just teaching students how to code—you’re equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly complex and connected world.