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Trinket to STEM IDE: everything you need to know

At the end of August 2026, the online programming platform Trinket will close. Over the last few years, many of the programming activities used across the Teach Computing Curriculum (TCC) have been hosted on Trinket. The platform provided an accessible way for teachers and students to view, edit and run code directly within a web browser, removing the need to install software locally on a device.

To ensure there is no disruption to teaching and learning, we have moved all Teach Computing Curriculum programming files to the new STEM IDE. This migration also includes programming resources used across National Centre for Computing Education CPD courses and Isaac Computer Science, creating a consistent experience for teachers and learners wherever they access our computing resources.

No action required

The good news is that you do not need to re-download the Teach Computing Curriculum materials.

For many years, we've used ncce.io short links throughout Teach Computing Curriculum resources. As part of the migration from Trinket to the STEM IDE, these short links have been updated to point directly to the new STEM IDE programming files. This means that existing lesson materials, presentations and supporting resources will continue to work as expected, with no action required from teachers.

When you and your students access a programming activity using an existing Teach Computing Curriculum link, you'll automatically be directed to the appropriate file in the STEM IDE. By using our established short-link system, we've been able to make this transition as seamless as possible while maintaining access to the programming resources used in the classroom.

What is the STEM IDE?

The STEM IDE is an online programming environment that allows you to:

  • View code files directly in your browser
  • Edit existing code
  • Execute and test programs
  • Access programming activities without installing additional software

The platform supports the same classroom-friendly approach that many teachers valued when using Trinket, enabling quick access to programming activities and examples through a web browser.

The STEM IDE currently allows users to view, edit and execute programming files directly within their browser.

At present, the platform does not support personal user accounts. As a result, any changes you make to a file during a session will not be stored online once you leave the page.

If you would like to keep a copy of your work, you should download the code file directly to your computer before closing the browser window.

Why use an online IDE?

Online integrated development environments (IDEs) have become increasingly popular in education because they remove many of the barriers that can prevent learners from getting started with programming.

Reduced setup requirements

Installing and configuring software can be time-consuming, particularly when working across multiple devices or in school environments with restricted permissions. An online IDE such as STEM IDE removes this challenge by allowing users to access programming activities directly through a web browser.

Accessible for all teachers

Not every teacher delivering computing will have extensive programming experience. Online IDEs make it easier to explore, run and modify code without needing to understand software installation, virtual environments, or complex development tools. This helps make programming more accessible to specialist and non-specialist teachers alike.

A consistent learning experience

Because the programming environment is browser-based, learners can access the same code files and activities across different devices and locations. Whether working in school or at home, students can engage with the same resources and programming environment.

Focus on learning, not setup

By reducing technical barriers, teachers and students can spend more time focusing on programming concepts and problem-solving, rather than troubleshooting software installations or configuration issues.

Encountered an issue?

We've worked hard to ensure that all Teach Computing Curriculum programming files have been successfully migrated to the STEM IDE and that existing short links continue to function as expected.

However, if you encounter a broken link, a programming file that doesn't load correctly, or any other issue related to the migration, please let us know. Email [email protected] with details of the problem you've identified, including the resource or page where it occurred, and our team will investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Your feedback helps us ensure that teachers and students continue to have reliable access to the resources they need.