Couch to Coolest Projects: Helping you each step of the way

Coolest Projects is an online technology showcase. It’s free, inspiring, and open to young people (creators) with any level of coding experience, from beginner to advanced. It is a great way to keep young people engaged and creating at this time.

We are providing free training and resources to educators, parents, and volunteers so they know exactly how to develop young people’s coding and presentation skills to take part in Coolest Projects.

Imagine in February

Throughout February, creators can register their initial ideas to save their spot in the showcase! 

Our first training session will give you practical approaches to help young people:

  • Develop ideas
  • Plan their time
  • Learn project design tips

We’ll also share projects from last year’s showcase to help kick-start their ideas.

Make in March

On 3 March at 7pm GMT (2pm EST), young people can get some inspiration for their project on our Digital Making at Home live stream.

In our online workshop on 11 March, it’s the adults’ turn! This workshop is specifically aimed to help those supporting young people remotely.

We’ll be sharing: 

  • Useful tools for running online sessions or offering remote support
  • How to structure the making process into four sessions (including resources to use for each)
  • A run through of how to register a project

If you’re a parent/guardian looking to support your child, you can access our project resources here.

On 23 March at 4pm GMT (11am EST), young people can get their coding questions answered on our Coolest Projects live stream.

Present in April

As part of project registration, young people are asked to write a description or submit a video that explains their project. In early April, we’ll help young people describe and present their projects, sharing examples from last year’s showcase and tips from past participants.

On 20 April we will are hosting a live stream to take you through the final registration process. If your young creators register a project early, it’ll be one of the first on the gallery showcase when it launches in mid-April!

Celebrate in May

In the run up to 3 May, we’ll support adults and young people with final project registrations. Be sure to register a project by the May deadline to avoid disappointment!

Once registration closes, we’ll moderate all the amazing projects and get them live in the showcase gallery for everyone to see them. They’ll be viewed and shortlisted by our judges, as well as our VIP judges who will select their favourites.

We’ll be celebrating all the amazing young people who’ve taken part throughout May. Creators will receive their certificate of participation. 

Join us in June!

In early June, our live online celebration ceremony will take place. We will share some of the amazing entries and young people to take part in the showcase and announce the VIP judges’ favourites!

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