A1: Analyst Report - SaskCode

What is SaskCode?

SaskCode is an initiative of the Saskatoon Industry Education Council aimed at developing the skills of computational thinking, coding and robotics in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and beyond. This goal is accomplished throught the creation of lesson plans, robotics kits, teacher training. Through their efforts, they claim to have influenced over 3000 classrooms, 6000 teachers and 80,000 students. 

Current Sources of Funding

SaskCode is a program at the Saskatoon Industry Education Council, whose mandate is to bridge the gap between education and the world of employment. SIEC runs many significant programs tied to Saskatchewan Curriculum, including SaskMoney - a resource for the Saskatchewan Financial Literacy curriculum. Out of the 19 staff listed on the SIEC website, 5 are dedicated to the SaskCode program.

SaskCode receives substantial funding through the CanCode Federal Grant program. Other notable recipients of CanCode funding include: FIRST Robotics Canada, Hackergal, and the Science World BC Tech-Up program.

Other sources of funding for SaskCode include: Innovation Saskatchewan, NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Nutiren, ESTI Consulting, Skills Canada, Orano, Autism Speaks Canada, Sasktel and Mosaic.

Analysis Focus

This Analysis will consider the need for continued funding from the perspective of future CanCode grant programs. 

"CanCode funding will be awarded following an in-depth, merit-based, evaluation process that examines proposals against a range of factors to determine impact, and to ensure financial viability and the ability to effectively use taxpayers' funds. Recipients will be selected  to ensure the overall program offers quality, high-value initiatives with the broadest geographic and demographic coverage across Canada, and to make sure that these opportunities are inclusive of traditionally underrepresented groups."

And also:

"CanCode will fund initiatives that provide Canadian students (kindergarten to Grade 12) experiences in digital skills including coding, data analytics and digital content development that, involve the use of digital tools. To complement these experiences, the CanCode program supports initiatives that provide K-12 teachers with the training and professional development they need to introduce digital skills and coding related concepts into the classroom."

The key points considered in this analysis will be:

1. Quality, high value initiatives

2. Broad Geographic and Demographic coverage

3. Inclusive of underrepresented groups

4. Training and Professional Development