Chilean Student

Equipping Chilean students for the 21st century

A national project to promote computer science in public schools is providing students with the digital tools they need for the 21st century.

With technology rapidly transforming the world, the skills required to make a contribution to society have changed. It’s now essential for every child of the 21st century to have an opportunity to learn about algorithms, how to make an application, and how the Internet works.

That’s where a new alliance between Fundación Kodea and the BHP Foundation will transform how technology is taught in schools and make computer science the new language for public education.  

IdeoDigital is a five-year, US$6.7 million national project to make computer science education more inclusive and equitable, helping students evolve from users of technology to digital creators.

By 2025, the project aims to reach 1,000 schools, 850 teachers and more than 150,000 students, and influence public policies so computer science becomes part of the national curriculum.

Resources will be free and made available across Chile’s public education system including:

  • computer science content for students in first to fourth grade that’s based on Code.org and adapted for technology
  • training for partners, currently in the national educational ecosystem, to support and train teachers and develop a network of leading schools in computer science
  • public advocacy and awareness programs deployed at all levels to highlight the importance, viability, and benefits of computer science in the educational system.

Alejandra Garcés, Director of the BHP Foundation Chilean Program says the project will help improve long-term economic and social sustainability in Chile.

‘If we strengthen digital inclusion and provide more educational opportunities, we can help to reduce the gap in the quality of our education,’

For more information on the BHP Foundation’s work in Chile, visit bhp.com/foundation