computing is far more than

computers

Implementação do programa da ENSICO
à escala nacional.

Enroll Now

National-wide implementation of ENSICO's programme.

A 2.ª fase (manifestação de interesse) decorrerá até dia 28 de fevereiro de 2025 e servirá para
registar o interesse dos agrupamentos de escola em iniciar aulas de computação no 1.º ciclo do EB.

Interest

All schools in Portugal are invited to join this movement.

Training

Teachers' training sessions will start in March 2025.

Classes

First cycle computing classes, years 1-2, will start in September 2025.

Our Journey

Since 2019 until now.

That helped us to gain enough experience and knowledge to define a comprehensive syllabus for teaching computing as a mandatory subject throughout the basic and secondary levels of the Portuguese educational system.

Schools

0

Teachers

0

Students

0

Classes

0
Monção​
EB Estrada, EB Pias, EB Vale do Mouro, EB José Pinheiro Gonçalves.
Bragança
EBS Miguel Torga.
São João da Pesqueira
Ervedosa do Douro, Paredes da Beira, Castanheira do Sul, Trevões.
Mirandela
Escola Básica do Fomento, Escola Básica Luciano Cordeiro, Escola Básica do Convento, Escola Básica de Pereira, Escola Básica dos 1.º e 2.º Ciclos de Torre de Dona Chama.
Arcos de Valdevez
EB 23/S Arcos de Valdevez, EB Padre Himalaya, EB Dr. Manuel da Costa Brandão, EB Prof. António Melo Machado.
Vila do Conde
ES D. Afonso Sanches.
Gondomar
EB Gens, EB Jancindo, EB Outeiro, EB Atães.
Porto
EB Manoel de Oliveira, EB da Ponte, EB da Vilarinha, EB Fonte da Moura, ES Garcia de Orta, EB Francisco Torrinha, ES Cerco do Porto, Colégio Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Grande Colégio Universal.
Matosinhos
Colégio Efanor, EB Maria Manuela de Sá.
Lisboa
Colégio Valsassina.
Cascais
Frei Gonçalo de Azevedo, Matilde Rosa Araújo, Parede, Ibn Mucana, São João Estoril, Alvide, Alapraia, Cascais, Cidadela, Colégio Amor de Deus.
Previous slide
Next slide

Our Methodology

When to start, What to teach and How to teach.

ENSICO's general principle is that initiation to computing can start at early ages, and it does not require much equipment: just a piece of paper, a pencil and, above all, grey matter.

First Cycle

Ages 6 to 9

The learning starts through stories with captivating characters that implicitly link to computing subjects. These characters create emotional connections with the students that allow for the exploration of computational themes in a funny and pedagogically effective way.

In the final two years of the first cycle, the aim is to leverage the teaching of computing in the learning of Mathematics and Portuguese.

First Cycle

Second Cycle

Ages 10 to 11

The second cycle further integrates computing with the study of mathematics and languages. It delves into linguistic concepts essential for mastering the native language and mathematical terminology, laying the groundwork for programming.

Building on their initial computer experiences from the first cycle, students progress to creating their first data models and algorithms.

Second Cycle

Third Cycle

Ages 12 to 14

The third cycle aims to consolidate learning going deeper into the function concept alongside the math curriculum, which begins the study of functions at this stage. Consequently, the functional programming paradigm is deliberately embraced.

The frequency of semi-plugged and plugged classes increases, eventually leading up to the beginning of collaborative programming activities and the adoption of multi-paradigm programming languages such as F# and Python.

Third Cycle

Secondary

Ages 15 to 17

ENSICO’s plans at this level are to emphasize the study and exploration of computationally significant fields, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and more.

This exploration is facilitated by advanced programming environments and languages endowed with extensive and educationally valuable libraries, such as Python. At this stage, one should aim to expand and develop domain-oriented specialised modules in collaboration with various universities, which will be available to students as elective courses tailored to their personal and professional interests.

Secondary

Computing and Maths are genuinely symbiotic. Not just a way to do maths better, but a way to do better maths.

Simon Peyton Jones

Our Impact

A structured framework for integrating
computational thinking into K-12 education.

[...] data precede algorithms: you must have some objects before you can perform operations on them.

Niklaus Wirth

Computational Literacy

As a member of the Informatics for All coalition, ENSICO follows the Informatics Reference Framework, which advocates that

[…] informatics should exist as a discipline at all stages of the school curriculum, starting early in primary school and continuing to exist and develop through upper secondary school. Moreover, we suggest that education in informatics should be compulsory for all pupils from primary through secondary education, having a status and standing similar to that of language and mathematics. Well-educated teachers and teacher-teachers are essential to realise this vision.

Computing is far more than using computers and can be taught without them.

Our Partners

QUESTIONS?

Whether you’re curious about our mission and goals, we’re here to answer any questions.
en_USEnglish
Scroll to Top