NCS Expands AI and Coding Workshop for Primary School Students

More than 130 primary school students from lower-income families in Singapore spent a day learning about artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics. The event took place on October 31 at the NCS Hub in Ang Mo Kio. It was organized by NCS, a technology services company, as part of its yearly programme called N-Able Me!. This was the biggest version of the programme yet, reaching more than double the number of students compared to past years. The goal was to give young people from all backgrounds an early start in learning about technology.

Students in Primary 3 through 6 took part in several fun and interactive activities during the event. Instead of sitting through long lectures, they joined hands-on sessions led by tech volunteers from NCS. The lessons were designed to make tricky tech ideas easy and exciting for young learners. Every activity was planned to help students build basic digital skills they can use in the future.

One of the most popular parts of the day was a three-hour Micro:bit workshop. Students learned the basics of coding and worked in teams to build their own working games. At the end of the event, every student got to take home a Micro:bit device so they could keep practicing on their own. This was meant to encourage students to keep exploring technology even after the workshop ended.

There was also a Superhero AI and Robotics Booth where things got really creative. Students used a special app made by NCS employees to create AI-generated images of themselves as superheroes with their dream jobs. They also tried out robotics activities that let them see how hardware and machines work up close. It was a chance for students to see technology in action in a fun and personal way.

Another highlight was a one-and-a-half-hour AI masterclass for all participants. It introduced students to basic ideas in machine learning and prompt engineering through fun challenges and games. Machine learning is a type of AI where computers learn from information to make decisions on their own. Prompt engineering means writing instructions that tell an AI what to do.

A special guest, Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, attended the event and gave out completion certificates to the students. He praised the programme and said it shows what can happen when the government, communities, and companies work together. 'Programmes like N-Able Me! show that when Government, community and corporate partners come together, we can give our children a better start and empower them to build a brighter future,' Goh said. His words encouraged the young participants to keep learning and dreaming big.

Several important partners helped make the event possible. These included the Ministry of Social and Family Development, ComLink+, Yayasan MENDAKI, and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, also known as STSPMF. STSPMF was started in 2000 by The Straits Times newspaper to help children and young people from lower-income families. So far, the fund has helped more than 230,000 young people and given out more than $110 million in financial support.

The fund gives monthly allowances to students at different levels of school. Primary school students receive $65 a month, while secondary school students get $100 a month. Students in polytechnics, junior colleges, and Institutes of Technical Education receive $125 a month. This financial help makes it easier for students to stay in school and focus on their studies.

NCS chief executive Sam Liew said that technology should be something everyone can access and benefit from. He believes that giving young people basic tech skills helps them imagine bigger futures for themselves. 'By equipping our youth with these foundational tools, we empower them to envision new possibilities for their future and inspire them to see themselves as builders in the AI era,' Liew said. His message was clear: technology belongs to everyone, and young people today can be its future builders.