Code Club Australia lesson plans are online resources used by teachers and librarians to teach code to young people in a fun and engaging way via a network of volunteer-led code clubs. Typically, they feature a fun project based around a story or theme and a lesson guide for teachers that explains both the thematic content and the instructions to complete the coding lesson.
Code Club Australia recently worked with Indigenous artist and STEM advocate Tess Reading and Indigenous knowledge holders to develop a project based on the Dhinawan in the Sky. Students could learn about the Gomeroi story of the Dark Emu by building their own animation in computer code. The lesson plan was tested before release by First Nations children for their feedback and has been a popular lesson in the global Code Club community.
Telstra Foundation is keen to apply a human rights-based approach to develop a First Nation’s Cultural Framework that will guide its future Code Club Australia work with First Nations people. A discussion paper has been developed to align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to ensure Indigenous Rights are front and centre in the development of The First Nations Cultural Framework.
Read the First Nations Cultural Framework discussion paper (PDF, 256KB)
Key stakeholders are invited to consider the ideas and aspirations in the discussion paper and provide input and views are sought on the following key foundational human rights principles for First Nations peoples:
First Nations STEM educators, academics, cultural educators, scientists, and technologists are encouraged to participate in the public consultations. Consultations will occur during September – October 2021. Targeted discussions with key stakeholders will also occur during this time.
The First Nations Cultural Framework will focus on rights, and will support protocols when developing and delivering Code Club Australia projects. The framework once finalised, will guide the future development of Code Club Australia education content and the final Framework will be accessible via the Telstra Foundation website.
Share your views with the First Nations Cultural Framework survey
Following consultation, consideration of submissions and the results of the survey will inform the themes which will be further discussed with STEM education stakeholders. Your comments on this discussion paper will assist in enabling human rights-based approach to developing the Code Club Australia’s First Nations Cultural Framework.
Please note: The data and information obtained through this survey will be kept private and confidential. The purpose of the survey is to ensure Code Club Australia’s engagement with First Nations people remains informed and culturally respectful as we work together to get kids coding. More information about Telstra Foundation’s privacy statement can be found here. For further information, please contact INDIGI LAB (this will open your default email app).
Acknowledgement from Telstra Foundation: Telstra Foundation acknowledges the First Nations Peoples of the Land, and we pay respect to the Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other First Nations people this document may come across. We also acknowledge the existing work by First Nations individuals, communities, organisations and government agencies that has contributed to developing protocols and building relationships to advance digital excellence of First Nations people, including coding skills for young people.
