2024 Caribbean Computer Coding Workshops (C3W)

What is Being Offered

Four workshops will be offered in parallel in the Spring of 2023:

  • C3W.101 – Website Development I(HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP) – for beginners
  • C3W.201 – Introduction to Programming in Python I (Basics for beginners)

All classes are held virtually on the Zoom platform. These workshops have weekly homework assignments and are not for persons who are looking to play video games and have fun only.

The links to both to the student application forms and the Instructor/TA application forms are near the bottom of this page. Prospective students should read the information below that precedes the application form so they have some idea of the commitments that will be expected of them. Full details can be found in the Overview of the Workshops.

Workshop Dates: 10 February to 11 May 2024
Classes held: Saturdays 9:00 am – 12 noon AST.

STUDENT APPLICATION DEADLINE: 04 February 2024, 11:59 pm AST

2023 Workshop Structure and Curriculum

Coding Workshop Instructor Brandon Alleyne with the
Barbados Spring 2018 Level I class

In the spring of 2024, the Level I introductory website creation and development (C3W.101) begins with basic coding in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP, and is tailored for persons having no previous experience in coding.

Introduction to Programming in Python (C3W.201)assumes no prior coding experience in Python, although concepts such as functions, variables, iteration will be helpful.

In the last quarter of each class, the participants form teams, and the teams focus on the development of projects such as simple Websites, mobile Apps, video games, or data science applications that may of interest to the teams. These final projects are displayed to a public audience on the last day of the Workshop.

Preliminary syllabi for the C3W.101 Workshop is shown below. Topics in the syllabi are subject to change at any time.

Typical Syllabus for C3W.101 – Introduction to Website Development
Class         Topic

  • 1 – Registration; Logistics; Principles of web design
  • 2 – Introduction to HTML
  • 3 – Creating a basic Website; free Web-hosting; Introduction to CSS (Fonts, colors and sizes)
  • 4 – More HTML & CSS
  • 5 – A deeper look (Animation and stylesheets)
  • 6 – Creating tables, adding and manipulating images
  • 7 – Introduction to JavaScript (Syntax and button interaction); Students form teams
  • 8 – JavaScript – A deeper look (e.g., A simple game + Voice control & Web storage) – Teams come up with a Project
  • 9 – Introduction and applications of PHP; Teams continue working on projects
  • 10 – More PHP examples; Teams continue working on projects
  • 11 – Teams continue working on projects
  • 12 – Rehearsals; Teams continue working on projects
  • 13 – Rehearsals; Teams complete projects
  • 14 – Final Project Presentations to the public & closing ceremony (8:30 am to 12:30 pm)

Typical Syllabus for C3W.201 – Introduction to Programming in Python (Basics to video games for beginners)
Class         Topic

  • 1 – Logistics, Ground Rules, Diagnostic Survey, Introduction to Python
  • 2 – Objects in Python
  • 3 – Expressions, Statements and Operators
  • 4 – Control Flow
  • 5 – Functions; Input and Output
  • 6 – Built-in Data Structures, CLI Games 1
  • 7 – Exception Handling, CLI Games 2
  • 8 – Classes, CLI Games 3; Students form teams
  • 9 – Introduction to Pygame, GUI vs CLI; Teams come up with a project
  • 10 – Game Loops and Game State; Events (Mouse and Keyboard), Surface Objects and Color; Teams continue working on projects
  • 11 – Fonts and Animation; Example Games (Motion, dealing with gravity); Teams continue working on projects
  • 12 – Rehearsals; Teams continue working on projects
  • 13 – Rehearsals; Teams complete projects
  • 14 – Final Project Presentations to the public (1:30 pm to 4:00 pm)

Selection Criteria for the Workshops

The CSF Coding Workshop Admissions Committee will be responsible for selecting the participants. Because of budget and class size limitations, the Committee may have to limit the number of participants in each workshop session. Only complete applications that arrive before the application deadline will be considered. Also, the lower age limit and the citizenship requirement will be strictly enforced.

In the case where the Workshops are oversubscribed (with applications) beyond the capacity of our budget, the Workshop participants will be selected taking the following factors into consideration in decreasing order of importance:

  • Gender balance: Females will be given preference over males in an effort to achieve our gender-balance goals for the workshops
  • Age of the applicant: Qualified older applicants may be given preference over younger applicants who may not yet be ready to enter the workforce
  • Disability: Persons with disabilities will be given preference over able-bodied persons
  • Date the application was received: Early applications may be given preference over later applications

SPRING 2024 STUDENT APPLICATION FORMS

The spring 2024 Caribbean Computer Coding Workshop are targeted at applicants from the Caribbean, and will be held in a virtual classroom on the Zoom platform. All applicants must be at least 15 years old on the day the Workshop begins. Please carefully read the instructions in bold type below, before you begin to fill out your application, as this Workshop has strict commitment requirements that we are expecting you to honor.

Here are some of the specific commitments expected for participation in the CSF Computer Coding Workshops:

  • Only candidates who are serious about computer programming and/or computer science should apply, as these workshops apply simple concepts from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry (which we will teach), and homework is assigned each week. These Workshops are not camps where persons come predominantly to have fun, but are serious fast-paced workshops.
  • Candidates who are not prepared to do homework and some learning on their own (or in teams) should not apply, as they may be unable to keep up with the class.
  • The playing of video games, social media interaction, Website browsing unrelated to the Workshop, and engaging in other distracting or disruptive activity while participating in the Workshop may result in expulsion.
  • Please do not sign up for the workshop if you know now that you cannot commit the time. Participants who miss one or more classes are generally not able to make a significant contribution to a team, and it becomes unfair to the other team members who then have to carry the entire load all the way to the Final Projects Showcase.
  • By enrolling in the Workshop, you agree as a courtesy to the Instructors, to keep your camera on at all times during the workshop session. Participants who habitually break this agreement may be dismissed from the Workshop.
  • Finally, please note that Workshop participants are expected to use their own computers (that meet our minimum specifications). In exceptional cases, the CSF may be able to loan computers to participants at no cost. Should you need to apply for a loaned computer, please do so early as there is software that must be loaded onto the computer by the first day of the Workshop.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THE STUDENT APPLICATION FORMS

  • Before you begin to fill out the application form: Please be sure to read the Overview of the Workshops in its entirety, so you know what you are signing up for.
  • The student application period opens on 25 November, 2023. A complete application consists of 4 Sections. To access the student application form, you must first login at http://caribbeanscience.org/login/. If you have previously established an account with the CSF, then enter your password and proceed. If you have forgotten your password or your password no longer works, send us an e-mail requesting a new password and we will assist. Otherwise, please create a new account with a different e-mail address.
  • Please note that the same basic application form is used for all the Workshops. On the application form, please select your nationality and country of residence near the top of the form.
  • While you are filling out the application, please be advised that clicking on the SAVE button does not result in the submission of your application. You must keep going until you reach the Verification Page (Section IV) where you will find the SUBMIT button at the bottom of that page.
  • Note that if you are under 18 years of age, you must certify in Section IV that you have your parent’s permission to enroll in a Workshop. We reserve the right to check with your parents
  • Please type your responses whenever possible (illegible handwritten documents may not be accepted). Type N/A for questions which are not applicable.
  • Please make sure the content in your attachments is upright and legible.
    Attachments with the content upside down on the page will annoy most reviewers.
  • Make sure your full name (i.e., first and last names) appears on all supplementary documents/attachments you submit to us. Also, please name your attachments to reflect their contents. We suggest you name your attachments using the following format “ C3W-2023-LastName, FirstName-DocumentName.pdf”. Attachments with file names such as “scan 003” could cause your attachment to be misfiled. If this happens, your application will be deemed incomplete. Further clarity in this regard can be found on the application form.
  • Applications will be rejected if incomplete or submitted later than the application deadline.
  • If admitted to the Workshop, the Workshop fee of U$ 50 is due in advance of participation in the Workshop. Special arrangements for weekly or monthly payments can be made.
  • Use the checklist (below) of required supporting materials to help you complete your package.

CHECK LIST:

  • Check off each item as you submit it online, or as you attach it and submit it by e-mail to: csfhdq@gmail.com.
  • Copy of document showing proof of age and of Caribbean citizenship – sent by e-mail or uploaded in Section I.
  • A high resolution photograph (passport style) of yourself sent by e-mail or uploaded in section I.
  • Uploaded the web-based application components (Sections I – IV).

Payment of the Workshop Fee

The participant workshop fee is US$ 50. The workshop fee helps to offset the costs of running the workshops. After the first week of classes the workshop fee is not refundable. For participants who are unable to pay in full at the beginning of the workshop, arrangements can be made for weekly payments. A minimum of US$20 is due at the time of registration. Payment of the Workshop fee can be made via one of the following options:

  • Option 1: All participants may pay the workshop fee online by credit card via CADSTI International (not tax deductible)

    This option may also be used by donors who want to make a contribution to our work.

  • Option 2: Barbados citizens may also pay by online inter-bank transfer (Barbados banks only) to the CSF checking account (no wire transfers, please) using the following information:
    1. Bank Name: Scotiabank, Barbados
      Bank Address: Broad Street, Bridgetown, Barbados
      Account Name: Caribbean Science Foundation
      Account Number: 9013083

  • Option 3: Citizens of Barbados may also pay by cash (Barbados or US currency) or with a Barbados check hand delivered to the CSF office. Please make the check payable to the Caribbean Science Foundation. Please call or send an e-mail to make arrangements with us before coming to the CSF office.
  • The office address is:

      Caribbean Science Foundation
      CARICOM Research Building
      UWI Cave Hill Campus
      St. Michael, Barbados,
      West indies

    INSTRUCTOR AND TEACHING ASSISTANT APPLICATION FORMS

    The CSF is currently seeking applications from qualified Instructors and Teaching Assistants from anywhere in the world. A modest stipend is paid to the Instructors and Teaching Assistants.

    Applicants for the Website Development (C3W.101) Instructor positions will be expected to have facility with principles of web design that would include experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP.

    Applicants for the Programming in Python (C3W.201) Instructor positions will be expected to have significant expertise with the language. Experience with the application of Python to any of the following would be an asset: video game development, programming Raspberry Pis and micro-controllers for the control of machines (robots, drones, appliances, and the Internet of Things), and running machine learning algorithms for applications such as the processing big data.

    To apply for either Instructor/TA position, please fill out either the on-line Web-based application at
    Web-based Caribbean Coding Workshop Instructor Application Form (preferred) or the manual application which can be downloaded as a pdf or Word file via the two links below:

    C3W Instructor & TA Application Form.docx

    C3W Instructor & TA Application Form.pdf

    The completed forms should be e-mailed back to the CSF headquarters (csfhdq@gmail.com) along with the other requested documents.

    Our needs vary with time, as we add more sections and more Workshops. We can keep your application on file if a position is not immediately available. Please do not hesitate to contact us at csfhdq@gmail.com if you need more information.

    A Future Level III Python Workshop

    Sometime in a near future we hope to offer a Level III workshop for advanced programmers. The primary coding language will be Python, although other modern languages may be adopted as necessary for problem solving and specific applications. This workshop will focus on the use of machine learning algorithms for problem solving in a variety of areas including science, engineering, health care, social science, art, and industries such as tourism and financial services. Examples of projects for this workshop could include advanced video games, programming Raspberry Pis and micro-controllers for the control of machines (robots, drones, appliances, and the Internet of Things) as well as the processing of big data and other applications that may be of interest to the teams.

    Python is one the fastest growing programming languages and has been chosen owing to:(1) its simplicity, flexibility, compactness and readability, (2) the strength of its standard library, (3) its widespread adoption today as the entry-level language of choice in the world’s leading science and engineering universities, and (4) to assist the Region in moving away from Pascal at the CSEC examination level. The greatest immediate challenges are finding competent Python instructors who are interested in teaching, and enough students who would take the class.

    Key Partners

    Key partners of the CSF are the Barbados Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).