Raspberry Pi kits to help young IT enthusiasts build digital skills
Agilisys Guernsey, the States of Guernsey’s technology and transformation partner, has awarded four Raspberry Pi kits to young IT enthusiasts across the Bailiwick ahead of National Coding Week.
Four attendees at this year’s Digital ACE event have each been awarded a Raspberry Pi 4 kit and two CamJam EduKits as part of Agilisys’ ongoing commitment to investing in local digital skills. The announcement of the awards coincides with National Coding Week – an annual programme aimed at celebrating and inspiring interest in coding and other digital skills.
The Raspberry Pi, a small yet functional credit-card sized computer, has captured the imagination of millions of young people since its initial launch in 2012. Despite its small size, Pi bords can be used to build computer-based hardware devices such as portable gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, radios, and smartphones. Meanwhile, the accompanying EduKits provide a way for IT beginners to use sensors and create Raspberry Pi-powered robots.
Prize winners clockwise from top-left: Kit Roberts (aged 9), Ros Le Prevost on behalf of Ben Spruce (aged 15), Lauren Ogier (aged 11), and Lauren Du Heaume (aged 8)
Lucy Kirby, Director of the Digital Greenhouse, said, “We’ve been delighted to work alongside Agilisys Guernsey over recent months to launch a range of initiatives that support Guernsey’s workforce to develop key skills. Nurturing digital talent is at the very heart of what we do, and it’s never been more important that our younger generation are inspired by an increasingly digital-first world.
“Annual events such as Digital ACE and the summer digital Internships are just a few of the ways we work directly with young people, in partnership with industry. Working with Guernsey’s business community, it is essential that we create opportunities for everyone to explore the digital world and become creators, not just consumers, of technology for the future.”
Shona Leavey, Agilisys Guernsey’s Head of IT Services, said, “At the Digital ACE event earlier this year, we spoke to many young people with a genuine interest in technology, so after months of COVID-19 disruption delaying the arrival of the kits on-island, it was fantastic to finally meet the winners of our competition and present them with the kits.
"As a community it’s vital that we nurture that enthusiasm and encourage the next generation to develop the creative and technical capabilities we need for the future. Learning by making is a great way to have fun, be innovative and gain those key skills.”