Coding is rapidly becoming an essential skill in our increasingly digital world, yet many schools struggle to integrate computer science into their curriculum. Recognizing this gap, Oceanit, through its SURF (Social Utilization of Resources for the Future) program, is pioneering an innovative approach to education in Hawaii: Altino Car Coding. This initiative leverages code-able autonomous cars to inspire students and educators alike, transforming the way computer science is taught and learned.
Altino cars are manufactured by SaeOn, Oceanit’s South Korean partners, who initially introduced these educational robots into the Daejon school system. This city has since become a leading coding hub in Korea, demonstrating the powerful impact of early exposure to programming. Inspired by this success, Oceanit is championing the adoption of coding education across Hawaii using Altino autonomous cars as a central training tool.
Partnering with Kamehameha Schools since 2017, Oceanit aims to seamlessly integrate computer coding into the existing curriculum throughout Hawaii by empowering teachers with the necessary skills. Drawing inspiration from South Korea, where coding is becoming a mandatory part of the national curriculum, Oceanit is utilizing SaeOn’s Altino cars to train educators. The goal is to ensure that every student in Hawaii has the opportunity to engage with and master computer programming.
The need for such initiatives is underscored by national statistics: a significant majority of parents recognize the value of computer science education, with 9 out of 10 believing it’s a worthwhile use of school resources and 5 out of 8 advocating for it as a core subject. Despite this parental support, only a quarter of schools offer any form of coding classes, and a mere fraction of administrators perceive a high demand for computer science from parents. One of the primary barriers to expanding computer science education is the lack of adequately trained teachers.
Oceanit’s Altino program directly addresses this challenge. In the summer of 2017, the first Altino cohort was launched, providing local teachers with programming training and professional development credits. Oceanit’s approach goes beyond basic training, focusing on developing lesson plans that integrate coding into various subjects. Imagine geography students programming Altino cars to simulate historical sailing routes – a tangible and engaging way to learn through coding. By the end of 2017, eight cohorts had been completed, with further expansion planned.
Oceanit’s core belief driving this initiative is that “kids are not afraid of coding, the fear is within the teachers.” Their mission is clear: to equip Hawaii’s students with vital skills – human, business, and technical – enabling them to forge their own careers and contribute to a prosperous and thriving Hawaii. Altino car coding is a key component of this mission, providing a hands-on, engaging platform for both teachers and students to overcome the fear of coding and embrace the future of technology.
The impact of Altino car coding has been widely recognized, featuring in reports by Hawai’i Public Radio, The Geek Beat, Geeks and Gadgets, and Hawaii News Now. Most notably, the Altino Coding team, a collaboration between Oceanit and Kamehameha Schools, was honored as Social Impact Entrepreneurs of the Year at the 2018 Hawaii Venture Capital Association (HVCA) awards. This accolade further validates the program’s success in promoting computer science education throughout Hawaii.
To discover more about Oceanit’s broader SURF program and its commitment to educational innovation, visit oceanitfoundation.org. Embrace Altino car coding and be part of the educational revolution empowering Hawaii’s next generation.
