The number of training centers in Sofia that develop new technology skills programs for children at primary school age are increasing. Sofia offers a variety of courses and activities for preschoolers, not only for programming but also in a variety of fields such as 3D modeling, robotics, design, gaming, introduction to engineering.
Here are some of the training programs available in the capital which can help children get acquainted with technology from an early age and find the areas of knowledge they are interested in.
International computer academy IT STEP
IT STEP organizes IT classes for children aged 8-15 in the fields of robotics, game development, web design, photo lab and computer games design. Children are given a real opportunity to turn their hobby or passion into a future profession. The Academy has 20 years of experience and is currently the fastest growing private educational institution with 58 branches in 18 countries across 5 continents. IT STEP is one of Cisco’s best authorized learning centers, and one of the most prestigious in CIS for Autodesk Maya. You can learn more about the Small Computer Academy herе.
TechnoMagicLand in Sofia Tech Park
The Science and Technology Center TechnoMagicLand launched its intensive courses for children only a few weeks after its opening in Sofia Tech Park. Young students can develop in fields such as engineering, informatics, science and technology. The courses include Introduction to Techniques for Children, Introduction to Engineering for Children, etc. The programs are suitable for kids aged 8 – 11 and include work with specialized software, which allows the children to operate robots, which they assemble and program by themselves. Kids can also graphic models and objects with the specialized software for computer 3D modeling for children SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids, get an introduction to Android, etc. More information about the courses is available in the Courses section at the TechnoMagicLand website and on the Facebook page of the center.
Space Academy
Space Academy organizes innovative space programs for kids aged 8-12. The courses help children develop skills and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM disciplines) and prepare them to be leaders of the future by thoroughly studying space sciences. Programs include subjects as Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astronautics and Space Engineering, Rocket modeling. Kids work with attractive scale models and assemble their own models by themselves. Detailed information is available here.
Uni4kids
University for children uni4kids.bg is an initiative of teachers, scientists and entrepreneurs. The programs aim to inspire students of all ages to discover and develop their talents in various fields of science, arts and crafts. The programs balance between learning to use new technologies and engaging in research and creative work so that children can experience their personal realization at an early age, discover their own interests and opportunities and develop their talents. The funny programming classes for the youngest students include assembling of devices and understanding of science that lies in the basis of the devices kids use nowadays, such as laptops, tablets, phones, etc.
Robopartans
Robopartans robotics school prepares children through robotics, programming, engineering, modeling, mathematics, electronics and integrates them into a common program. The classes include Lego robotics, Python programming, 3D modeling, animation and printing, and start from the 2nd grade.
Robotika center offers programs for kids at preschool age. From the early age of 6 kids can also be trained in CoderDojo Bulgaria, part of the CoderDojo global network with free programming centers in over 60 countries.
CoderDojo Bulgaria is organized by the Digital National Coalition (DNC) in Bulgaria, which became part of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition network of the European Commission a year ago.
The coalition comprises national organizations of 16 other EU member states. The main goal of the organization is to attract more people to new technologies, to make the use of digital potential more efficient and to boost the development of the ICT sector in Bulgaria. DNC brings together the efforts of businesses, universities and government in Bulgaria and helps to achieve the priorities set in the Digital Agenda of Europe. The organization has programs targeting both students and young people entering the labor market as well as teachers with technical training for teachers – coding4all, Digital Ambassador in Class, Digital Teachers, etc.
According to EU statistics, some 169 million Europeans at the age of 16-74 do not have basic digital skills, which prevents them from being beneficial at work or exploiting all the opportunities of the increasingly digitizing environment around them. More information on all DNC initiatives and events with which aim to attract people to new technologies for the more effective use of the digital potential, including in the field of education, is available on the website of the coalition here.
