Gaia Develops Digital Skills with Computing Festivals

Gaia Technologies, in partnership with Acer and the Tablet Academy, are offering schools the opportunity to help develop their digital skills, by taking part in free Computing Festivals.

The Computing Festivals are designed to expose Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6) and Key Stage 3 (Years 7 & 8) students to some of the most innovative uses of technology in the classroom. The Computing Festivals provide teachers with the opportunity to see what is available to support the curriculum and students the chance to experience new technology.

Develop Skills Using The Latest Software & Hardware

Students will have the opportunity to program robots, collaborate in Minecraft, develop online games and program their own Lego creations, using the latest Acer devices. The Festivals are ideal schools who might not necessarily have the right tools and technologies available to them, as well as being a great opportunity to drive collaboration between local schools and communities.

Computing Festivals are hosted for a day by a school or college, who will extend invitations to local schools. The day is split into two workshops, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours, with up to 30 students taking part in each session. The sessions are led by consultants from the Tablet Academy who will guide staff and students through the circuit of activities, allowing pupils to learn and teachers to observe and learn as well.

The first Computing Festival event took place on Wednesday 27^th April, at the Staffordshire University Academy, and proved both very popular and useful. Jayne Hill, a teacher at Staffordshire University, said “What a fantastic event! All students engaged with all activities. We have all learned new skills and it’s great to see lots of smiling faces. Thank you and can't wait for the next one!”

Where & When Is My Local Computing Festival?

The Computing Festivals are taking place throughout May, June and July, at various locations across the UK. For more information about the Computing Festivals, please visit the ‘Computing Festival Workshops’ page.