Building with Lego has been a childhood favourite for generations, but youngsters in Moray will soon be able to bring their creations to life using coding and artificial intelligence.
Moray Council is launching a new programme of free computing science and AI clubs, with the first sessions taking place in Elgin and Forres on Thursday 29 October.
Delivered through the council’s STEM Starts Centre and Moray Libraries, the Digital Xtra programme will introduce children to technology through activities that combine imagination, problem solving and practical learning.
The clubs will use new LEGO Education computing science and AI kits, allowing children to build interactive models using motors, sensors and simple block coding.
Instead of simply learning about artificial intelligence on a screen, participants will be able to explore how technology responds to information, recognises patterns and makes decisions.
The activities are designed to complement the school curriculum while encouraging children to experiment, work together and discover what they can create.
The first session at the STEM Starts Centre in Elgin will run from 4pm to 5pm on Thursday 29 October and is aimed at pupils in P4 to P7.
Children attending the Elgin session must be accompanied by an adult.
A second club will take place at Forres Library on the same day, running from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, with no requirement for an accompanying adult because of the smaller group size.
The programme forms part of the wider Code Xtra initiative, which aims to establish community coding and AI hubs across Scotland.
Its purpose is to make digital learning more accessible while helping young people develop skills that could open doors to future education and employment.
For Moray, the initiative builds on existing work to introduce children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through enjoyable and engaging activities.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said:
“Through the programme, Moray Council will support increased access to digital learning.
“We hope to encourage creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and participation in computing through engaging and age-appropriate STEM experiences to help build the confidence and skills children and young people need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Digital Xtra hopes the partnership will encourage children to see themselves not just as users of technology, but as people who can understand, design and create it.
That distinction becomes increasingly important as artificial intelligence and digital systems become part of everyday life.
Kraig Brown, Partnerships and Development Manager for Digital Xtra, said:
“For Code Xtra to be successful, it is essential we collaborate with delivery partners who share our commitment to inspire young people to understand and innovate with technology, not simply use it.
“Moray Council is an ideal partner to host one of the first Code Xtra hubs, building on the strong foundation already established through their STEM Starts and other digital learning programmes.
“We look forward to working with them to bring coding and AI activities to communities across Moray.”
The new clubs offer an opportunity for children to discover computing through something already familiar, turning colourful Lego models into creations that can move, respond and interact.
And for some of those young builders, an afternoon experimenting with bricks and sensors could be the beginning of a lasting interest in technology.
Both introductory sessions are free, with the first taking place on Thursday 29 October.
To find out more or register your interest in the Elgin session, please contact kirsty.dambrosio@moray.gov.uk or Gail.imlach@moray.gov.uk.
To book a session at Forres Library, please contact Elgin Library on getdigital@moray.gov.uk or 01343 562603.
