Engaging Computing Workshops for Schools

U Can Too’s dynamic STEM workshops for schools are creative, engaging and fun. We don’t just sit around computers, we collaborate, explore, create, build and make!

All our workshops are cross-curricular and involve building, electronics and coding to achieve either physical or visual outcomes. This means learners are meeting some of the key requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing at the same time! Throughout, our STEM specialist will be asking questions to engage each child and encourage them to learn with confidence.

U Can Too coding workshops are available to schools and educational events globally, they are fully adaptable to suit a topic or subject of your choice with cross-curricular learning outcomes.

A boy and girl at school in a computing workshop.

Fun and engaging workshops for primary and secondary schools

We have workshops to suit a variety of topics and interests while also meeting cross curricular learning outcomes. Others simply involve making something truly awesome out of recyclable items from around the home.

Photograph of a laptop computer in a school computing workshop.

Computing workshops linked to the National Curriculum

What do we provide?

We provide all the tools and materials required for each workshop. This includes laptops, computer hardware, electronics, leads, battery packs and other materials that may be needed for the session.

Occasionally, we may encourage your school to collect recyclable household items, such as cereal boxes, which the children can use in their make. This helps to build interest and excitement around the session, and engages parents too.

The aim of U Can Too workshops is to teach young people how to confidently use computer technology in the real world and develop their skills in logical reasoning, while having fun and being creative.

It is our hope that through U Can Too workshops, bright ideas will be born that could change our world forever!

Availability and Reservations

Our Popular Workshops

Check out our list below for our most popular workshops or contact us for the full list. While these are our standard computing workshops for schools, we welcome a challenge, and would be delighted to create a new workshop to suit you and your learners. Please send your requests directly to our workshop developer using our Contact Page.

Drone Assault Course

In this high-energy day, learners gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors before participating in Drone Flight School. Learners then work as teams to build and program an assault course for their drone to complete alongside other teams!

Crazy Golf Creations

Learners will work together to problem-solve and build a mini golf course, which involve the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.

Robot Petting Zoo

Learners will discover how to build and program their own animals using various mechanisms powered by motors and find out how sensors can be used to trigger outputs. If delivered as a 2-day workshop, additional mechanisms can be included along with a greater opportunity for creativity.

Protect the Treasure

Learners begin this workshop by gaining an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors. Each team will then use this knowledge to compete for the best way to ‘protect the treasure’; building and programming a solution to present at the end of the workshop.

Circuit Game Maker

Learners will combine their artwork skills with the use of electronics and programming to create their own electronic game similar to Operation.

Activated Art - Kandinsky

Learners will find out about the artist, Kandinsky, then explore how they can use physical computing to develop new art in the same style.

Iron Man CupBot

Bring a Character to Life

Learners will bring to life the Iron Man character from the book by Ted Hughes. They will use electronics components and a micro:bit to program a moving head and light up eyes in response to a sensed input.

ChatterBox Box-Bot

ChatterBox BoxBot

Learners will program electronic components to transform a cardboard box into a robotic head with a moving mouth using a lever mechanism.

Storytelling Through Games

Learners will gain an understanding of programming constructs and use this knowledge to create a game linked to a chosen part of the curriculum. We offer game making in Scratch Jr, Scratch, Kodu Game Lab and MakeCode Arcade.

Our Full Workshop List - by Key Stage

Check out our full list of workshops below by selecting the relevant key stage. We've also included a colour-coded key to help you understand the core computing knowledge developed in each workshop.

Key to Computing Knowledge

Physical Computing using electronic components

Programming with sequencing and repetition

Programming with selection

Programming with variables

Digital Literacy

Techie Exploration fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	EYFS learners will explore a variety of computing technologies in a continuous provision style setup, exploring and playing with tools such as Scratch Jr, Bluebots, MakeyMakey and The Very Hungry Code-a-Pillar. This is a pick & mix range of computing activities including a Paint with Sphero and/or stop-motion animation mini-workshop led by an instructor.
Beatboxing Bear fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will explore how a simple electronic circuit and computer programming can be combined to bring a cuddly toy bear to life!

Cup-Bot fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will combine electronics with computer programming to build a character from a cup and use a motor to bring it to life. Longer workshops will allow for interaction such as a dog wagging its tail when its head is patted!
Activated Art: Kandinsky fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will find out about the artist, Kandinsky, then explore how they can use physical computing to develop new art in the same style.
Music Maker fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 - 1 day	Learners will explore different ways to create music through the use of electronics or coding, building on this knowledge to recreate an instrument or piece of music, depending on their age and tools used.
Tell a Story with Video Games fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will gain an understanding of programming constructs and use this knowledge to create a game linked to a chosen part of the curriculum. A popular choice is recreating the Minotaur’s labyrinth to link with Greek Mythology but this can be adapted to a story of your choice. We offer game making in Scratch Jr, Scratch, Kodu Game Lab and MakeCode Arcade.
Sensing our Environment fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will use everyday items, electronics and a micro:bit to build and program a water level sensor.
Circuit Game Maker fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will use electronics and programming skills to create their own electronic game similar to Operation.
Sphero Track fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will work together to problem-solve and build tracks for a Sphero robot, including the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.
Bring a Character to Life fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will bring to life the Iron Man character from the book by Ted Hughes. They will use electronics components and a micro:bit to program a moving head and light up eyes in response to a sensed input.
Rotating Light fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will use electronics to build and program their own rotating light, exploring how to manipulate an output of light in different ways. This workshop has a strong design & technology focus and has the opportunity to incorporate patterns. During longer workshops learners will develop their own designs and incorporate sensors to enhance their makes.
3D Animation fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Using stop motion animation, learners will bring still objects to life! This exciting way to use technology across the curriculum, provides great cross-curricular links; imagine life in different worlds, use green-screen to become a weather presenter or even interview a famous figure from history
Crazy Golf Creations fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will work together to problem-solve and build a mini golf course, which involve the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.
Tech-Styles fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will learn how electronics can be programmed to make a fun wearable creation. Depending on the length of the session this can range from a small accessory to a full garment.
Code Reload fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 - 1 day	Learners will develop an understanding of how to program a range of electronic components to create simple, fun results! During longer sessions learners will design their own game.
Protect the Treasure fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors. Each team will then use the knowledge they have developed to compete for the best way to ‘protect the treasure’; building and programming a solution to present at the end of the workshop.
Robot Petting Zoo fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will discover how to build and program their own animals using various mechanisms powered by motors and find out how sensors can be used to trigger outputs. If delivered as a 2-day workshop, additional mechanisms can be included along with a greater opportunity for creativity.
Flapping Bird fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will use electronics to build and program a robotic bird that flaps its wings when triggered by a sensor.
Box-Bot fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 or 1 day	Learners will program electronic components to transform a cardboard box into a robotic head with a moving mouth using a lever mechanism. An additional mechanism can be added within a full day workshop to include blinking eyes using lever and winch mechanisms.
Interactive Comic Strip fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	2 days	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and sensors. They will then use this knowledge to build a moving scene that tells part of a bigger story when put in sequence with other makes.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 or 1 day	Learners will explore the link between physical and mental health through investigating the impact of movement. They will then use technology to develop tools that improve breathing and meditation, monitor heart rates and exercise, and suggest exercises. During a full-day workshop, schools can choose between exploring the use of machine learning (as an introduction to AI) either as a diagnosis tool to make their own virtual doctors or by programming a robotic hand.
Move and Code fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	This workshop is delivered in collaboration with a professional contemporary dance company, Pell Ensemble. Learners will use movement as a platform to introduce or embed an understanding of the fundamentals of programming, specifically sequencing, repetition, selection and procedures. They will use these principles to develop a 'prototype' performance which they will perform and test with their peers.

Music Maker fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 - 1 day	Learners will explore different ways to create music through the use of electronics or coding, building on this knowledge to recreate an instrument or piece of music, depending on their age and tools used.
Tell a Story with Video Games fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will gain an understanding of programming constructs and use this knowledge to create a game linked to a chosen part of the curriculum. A popular choice is recreating the Minotaur’s labyrinth to link with Greek Mythology but this can be adapted to a story of your choice. We offer game making in Scratch Jr, Scratch, Kodu Game Lab and MakeCode Arcade.
Sensing our Environment fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will use everyday items, electronics and a micro:bit to build and program a water level sensor.
Circuit Game Maker fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will use electronics and programming skills to create their own electronic game similar to Operation.
Sphero Track fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will work together to problem-solve and build tracks for a Sphero robot, including the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.
Bring a Character to Life fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will bring to life the Iron Man character from the book by Ted Hughes. They will use electronics components and a micro:bit to program a moving head and light up eyes in response to a sensed input.
Rotating Light fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will use electronics to build and program their own rotating light, exploring how to manipulate an output of light in different ways. This workshop has a strong design & technology focus and has the opportunity to incorporate patterns. During longer workshops learners will develop their own designs and incorporate sensors to enhance their makes.
3D Animation fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Using stop motion animation, learners will bring still objects to life! This exciting way to use technology across the curriculum, provides great cross-curricular links; imagine life in different worlds, use green-screen to become a weather presenter or even interview a famous figure from history
Crazy Golf Creations fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will work together to problem-solve and build a mini golf course, which involve the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.
Tech-Styles fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will learn how electronics can be programmed to make a fun wearable creation. Depending on the length of the session this can range from a small accessory to a full garment.
Code Reload fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 - 1 day	Learners will develop an understanding of how to program a range of electronic components to create simple, fun results! During longer sessions learners will design their own game.
Protect the Treasure fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors. Each team will then use the knowledge they have developed to compete for the best way to ‘protect the treasure’; building and programming a solution to present at the end of the workshop.
Robot Petting Zoo fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will discover how to build and program their own animals using various mechanisms powered by motors and find out how sensors can be used to trigger outputs. If delivered as a 2-day workshop, additional mechanisms can be included along with a greater opportunity for creativity.
Box-Bot fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 or 1 day	Learners will program electronic components to transform a cardboard box into a robotic head with a moving mouth using a lever mechanism. An additional mechanism can be added within a full day workshop to include blinking eyes using lever and winch mechanisms.
Interactive Comic Strip fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	2 days	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and sensors. They will then use this knowledge to build a moving scene that tells part of a bigger story when put in sequence with other makes.
Animatronics Introduction fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will find out about animatronics by creating and programming a robot that uses multiple motors to generate life-like movements.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 or 1 day	Learners will explore the link between physical and mental health through investigating the impact of movement. They will then use technology to develop tools that improve breathing and meditation, monitor heart rates and exercise, and suggest exercises. During a full-day workshop, schools can choose between exploring the use of machine learning (as an introduction to AI) either as a diagnosis tool to make their own virtual doctors or by programming a robotic hand.
Activated Art fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 - 2 days	Learners will find out about a variety of artists then use these as inspiration to create a moving piece of art by programming a range of electronics.
Drone Assault Course fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors. Learners will use this knowledge, in teams, to build and program an assault course for a drone and compete against the other teams! Learners will also participate in Drone Flight School to learn how to fly the drones.
Move and Code fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	This workshop is delivered in collaboration with a professional contemporary dance company, Pell Ensemble. Learners will use movement as a platform to introduce or embed an understanding of the fundamentals of programming, specifically sequencing, repetition, selection and procedures. They will use these principles to develop a 'prototype' performance which they will perform and test with their peers.

Music Maker fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 - 1 day	Learners will explore different ways to create music through the use of electronics or coding, building on this knowledge to recreate an instrument or piece of music, depending on their age and tools used.
Tell a Story with Video Games fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will gain an understanding of programming constructs and use this knowledge to create a game linked to a chosen part of the curriculum. A popular choice is recreating the Minotaur’s labyrinth to link with Greek Mythology but this can be adapted to a story of your choice. We offer game making in Scratch Jr, Scratch, Kodu Game Lab and MakeCode Arcade.
Crazy Golf Creations fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 or 2 days	Learners will work together to problem-solve and build a mini golf course, which involve the use of physical computing to program and build fun interactions to trigger throughout the course.
Tech-Styles fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 day	Learners will learn how electronics can be programmed to make a fun wearable creation. Depending on the length of the session this can range from a small accessory to a full garment.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1/2 or 1 day	Learners will explore the link between physical and mental health through investigating the impact of movement. They will then use technology to develop tools that improve breathing and meditation, monitor heart rates and exercise, and suggest exercises. During a full-day workshop, schools can choose between exploring the use of machine learning (as an introduction to AI) either as a diagnosis tool to make their own virtual doctors or by programming a robotic hand.
Animatronics Introduction fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	Learners will find out about animatronics by creating and programming a robot that uses multiple motors to generate life-like movements.
Drone Assault Course fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 day	First, learners will gain an understanding of physical computing by programming LEDs, motors and a range of sensors. Learners will use this knowledge, in teams, to build and program an assault course for a drone and compete against the other teams! Learners will also participate in Drone Flight School to learn how to fly the drones.
Activated Art fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle fas fa-circle See key above	1 - 2 days	Learners will find out about a variety of artists then use these as inspiration to create a moving piece of art by programming a range of electronics.

Workshop Availability
&
Date Reservations

Get in touch . . .

If you'd like to get in touch to find out more about our workshops in school use the contact form below: