Computational Thinking (CT) enhances essential skills for thriving in the 21st century, and age-appropriate coding robots has accelerated worldwide efforts to develop young children’s CT. However, empowering teachers to deliver effective robot-based CT education remains a challenge.
The EdUHK research team’s pilot study has validated that the approach, informed by Constructionist and Situated Learning Theories, involves iterative cycles of (re)design, practice, and reflection. Building upon this approach, we will implement and evaluate our professional development program—Computational Thinking for Early Childhood Educators (CT4ECE).
With CT4ECE as its core, this project adopts a cluster randomized trial to implement an evidence-based teacher professional development program that trains teachers in fostering children’s CT with robots. We will also observe and assess teachers’ activity implementation and children’s achievement in CT. More details about the research project can be found https://www.eduhk.hk/fehd/files/file/Research/GRF_ECS/2025.2026/YANG_Weipeng.pdf .
Potential Benefits to the Participants
1. Class teachers from K1 to K3 participating in the study will receive free CT4ECE professional development program. The research team will provide abundant resources and support throughout the 9-week research activities.
2. During the 9 weeks of research activities, each classroom will receive 3-5 sets of programming robot equipment for free. After 9 weeks of research activities, each classroom can choose to keep 2 sets of programming robots for free, while the remaining sets will be recycled for future promotional use. The kindergarten has the right to decide whether to purchase additional equipment voluntarily.
3. The kindergarten will work with the EdUHK research team to incorporate the coding robots and CT education into its school-based curriculum. At the same time, kindergartens and teachers will learn how to search for appropriate curriculum resources and teaching strategies for delivering CT education.
4. Teachers who complete the study questionnaires will also be eligible to receive cash vouchers.
Research result
This research’s findings and products will be disseminated through conferences, practitioner workshops, public websites, social media, and publications. In addition, the project will help more kindergartens to incorporate CT education into their school-based curriculum.
Application Period and Implementation Time
Application deadline: May 31, 2026
Project implementation time: Starting from September 2026
Contact us
We sincerely invite all types of kindergartens without prior experience in implementing coding education in Hong Kong to participate in this project. Schools interested in applying should complete the "Consent Form to Participate in Research": click here to access the link(https://eduhk.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJhSO4egyYvbB1I). We greatly encourage all kindergartens to actively participate. For further information about this study, you may reach out to our research assistant, Ms Zhou Wenhui (E-mail: CT4ECE@eduhk.hk) or the project principal investigator, Dr. Yang Weipeng (Tel: 2948 6887 / E-mail: wyang@eduhk.hk).