For the last few years, grade four and now grade three students at Minnewasta School and Maple Leaf School in Morden, have had coding introduced to their classrooms.

Using various programs, students develop games, robotics, and experiments; showcasing their works to other students in coding at the school's Coding Arcade.

The goal of this Coding Arcade is a collaboration between the students, says Minnewasta Principal Jeoff Sutton, tying it into their lessons of math and science.

"Primarily the thing we're looking for is student engagement, and you'll find students going all over the gym and checking out everyone else's work to see how they can change their own programs and make it better. It's just that collaborative piece that brings all of our students into one spot, who are in coding and can learn from each other."

The initial concept for this program was formed when students were sent to Winnipeg to participate in Coding Quest. The students would dabble in the programs available there, and as interest developed Sutton says they decided to host an event in their schools, with the first in 2018.

Now with their second Coding Arcade behind them, Sutton says they hope to continue the program as reception and engagement has been great.

"For right now it's just getting the kids used to it. There's no denying that we're moving forward in the world with technology and any hands-on experiences that kids can have with tech and coding, and preparing for the future are important."