Unplugged Coding: Our 3P & 4P Students Explore "Code Set"
At the Swedish International School of Geneva, we often talk about the "Swedish Pedagogical Approach," which is an approach that sees play, curiosity, and learning as one big, beautiful adventure. Last week, our 3P and 4P students lived this philosophy to the fullest during their visit to the "Code Set" exhibition by artists Pinaffo & Pluvinage.
Thinking Like a Coder (With Cardboard!)
The exhibition invited our students to manipulate the "mysteries" of the digital world without a single computer screen. The concept is wonderfully tactile: color becomes code, which then becomes a sequence of cardboard modules. Together, the children built physical circuits, creating logical paths to guide a ball from start to finish.
While it looked like a fun afternoon of building, our students were actually diving deep into computational thinking. By breaking down the circuit into small steps, they were practicing:
Problem-solving: Figuring out why a ball didn't reach its destination and "debugging" the path.
Logic & Sequencing: Learning that the order of the modules (the code) dictates the final result.
Pattern Recognition: Using colors to represent specific functions or movements.
Why "Unplugged" Matters
At SISOG, we focus on project-based learning and building self-confidence. By teaching the logic of coding through physical play, we are helping our children realize that technology is something they can control and create. This hands-on experience proves that you don’t need a tablet to be a digital pioneer. You just need a bit of logic, some teamwork, and a lot of imagination. We’re so proud of our 3P and 4P explorers!
Local Discovery & Gratitude
The exhibition, held at CAIRN / Villa du Jardin, which is a lovely, quick two-stop tram ride from our school. We really are perfectly placed here near CERN and many other international organisations.
Finally, a huge thank you to our incredible middle primary teaching team: Shaina, Laure, Pamela, and Lovisa. We are so lucky to have such innovative teachers who find these marvelous activities that stretch our students' horizons and keep them inspired!
