Students at The Good Shepherd Catholic School are diving into a unique cross-curricular learning experience with the "Coding en Français " project.
This initiative, supported by funding that allowed the French As Second Language (FSL) department to purchase LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime coding kits, integrates coding, mathematics, and French language learning.
Guided by French teacher Cristina Brucculeri and math facilitator Kylie Allan, students build, program, and explore—all while using French in meaningful and practical ways.
“This goes beyond learning conversational basics,” said Brucculeri. “Students use French in a hands-on, relevant context that deepens their understanding of the language.”
This project brings the board’s strategic goals to life by combining STEM learning with practical French language application. Students develop critical thinking and technical skills while using French in real-world contexts. The nature of the program helps students feel connected and engaged, fostering both curiosity and a sense of belonging.
“This is a perfect example of how hands-on, collaborative projects can inspire learning and make subjects come alive for students,” said Allan.
A student who participated in a similar event hosted by Georgian College shared her excitement: “It was so much fun—just experimenting with the different codes and seeing them work!” Another student, who aspires to pursue a career in engineering, reflected, “The coding is a little difficult, but it’s so satisfying when you finally get it right, and it does exactly what you want it to do!”
This initiative is a wonderful example of how cross-curricular learning brings subjects together in exciting ways.