Portarlington CoderDojo group to host open morning next weekend

The Portarlington CoderDojo group will be hosting an open morning next weekend, which it said will be "a fun, friendly and inspiring event" designed to celebrate "creativity, curiosity and the brilliant young minds in our community".

The open morning will take place on Saturday, April 18, in Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington, from 11:15am to 12:30pm.

CoderDojo is a volunteer‑run coding club in which in young learners — affectionately known as "Ninjas" — explore the world of technology in a supportive, inclusive environment. The club welcomes Ninjas aged 7 to 17, and is completely free to attend.

Its sessions run every Saturday morning during term time, and thanks to the passion of its volunteers (and the help of fundraising and grants), an exciting mix of classes is offered.

Attendees at the open morning will get to see some of the amazing work created in: Scratch; Lego Mindstorms; Pytch; Microbits; Minecraft; Blender; Art with Krita; Sound Production; and Advanced Coding.

"These offerings can change from year to year, but the enthusiasm and creativity always stay the same," said Portarlington CoderDojo

"We’re also proud to say that our Ninjas come from all over — not just Portarlington (spanning both Laois and Offaly), but also from the Tullamore direction, Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Stradbally and Monasterevin. Every week they travel in to learn, create and have fun, and we’re always delighted to welcome new members.

"If you know a young person who might love to join us, or if you’re interested in volunteering, we’d be thrilled to hear from you. Places can be limited, so we encourage anyone interested to get in touch via our email address coderdojoportarlington@gmail.com

"During the open morning, we’ll also be presenting our current Ninjas with their end‑of‑year certificates — a proud moment for them and a lovely chance to see the impact of the club firsthand."