In 2013 the United States launched a massive campaign for the introduction of computational thinking in schools of all types and levels. The campaign, called code.org, was very successful not only in the USA, so much so that in 2014 it saw the participation of about 90 million students (48% of which were girls) and teachers from all over the world in the initiative Hour of Code.
In Italy, thanks to the initiative “Programming the Future”, partner companies assist MI (Ministry of Education) and CINI (National Inter-University IT Consortium) in a global experimentation of the structural introduction in schools of the basic concepts of information technology through games and easy-to-use tools. The initiative came at a critical time for Italian schools and for the future of our children and future generations. In perspective, an appropriate education in computational thinking inserted as a pervasive element in education in the various Italian school systems, will be essential to ensuring that the new generations of citizens grow up with the awareness that the digital element can be considered a “friend” and support tool for professional and private life.
An essential aspect for the success of the project is the provision on the part of partner companies of technology expert volunteers, to support teachers in the planning and provision of introductory events and training.
Engineering is part of this network, with the qualification of “Benefactor” and with approximately 40 volunteer employees throughout Italy.