73 teams of school students from around the state to compete for the title of Young ICT Explorers of the Year
Brisbane — SAP Research, the global technology research unit of SAP AG, and The University of Queensland, announced today the second annual Young ICT Explorers of the Year, held on 13th August 2011. Young ICT Explorers, initiated by SAP Research and run in conjunction with The University of Queensland is designed to encourage young people to develop technology projects and share their creative ideas in a structured environment, supported by their schools.
Schools throughout Queensland were invited to participate in the annual event, which encourages school students from years 4-12 to develop creative and innovative Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project in teams of up to four students. From the total projects registered this year, 73 teams were selected to showcase their project and be judged by an independent panel.
Students compete in teams across three age groupings from Years 4-12. The competition is open to all Queensland primary and secondary schools, and aims to encourage and inspire school students to gain a greater understanding of the diverse possibilities today’s technology has to offer.
Last year’s winners included an interactive game built by students from AB Patterson College (Years 4-6), a website developed by girls from Silkwood School (Years 7-9) and a Physics Engine designed by students from Villanova College (Years 10-12).
Being held in the UQ Centre at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, this year’s event will give students the opportunity to display their projects in a trade-show type environment. The groups will set up their projects in booths allowing judges to discuss the projects with students, and assess the projects based on creativity, completeness and presentation.
Students are also encouraged to wander around the hall to talk to other groups about their projects, make an assessment and then vote for the project they think deserves the Peer Award, which is the project voted as being the best by other groups.
The Young ICT Explorer and the Peer Award winners will be announced at 2:00pm on the day. Prizes include an iPad for the group’s teacher, iPods for each of the students in the winning team, an iPod Nano for second place group members, and an iTunes gift card for third place students.
SAP have organised the event in collaboration with The University of Queensland, with additional support from the Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (QSITE), and sponsorship from Zer01, NICTA and Izazi.
Karsten Schulz, VP and head of Business Network Orchestration at SAP Research, said the interest and success of this initiative last year has encouraged many more schools to enter the competition this year. “Technology is now part of everyday life, and young people are growing up with tools and devices that provide limitless opportunity for innovation and creativity.
“Some of these students will be the leaders of tomorrow, and by exposing them early on to the wonders of technology I think we are helping them to use their minds in creative, constructive and innovative ways.”
SAP Research spreads its research and development activities around the globe. Currently, their thriving network comprises of 19 locations worldwide, including their headquarters in Walldorf, and numerous partners from the business and academic worlds. (Additional information is available at www.sap.com/research.)
About Young ICT Explorers
Young ICT Explorers is a not-for-profit competition, which has been created by SAP to encourage school students in Queensland to create their best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. Established in 2010, the unique competition is the first of its kind in Queensland by offering fully sponsored transport for students & teachers from remote areas, to attend the judging event in Brisbane. More information at www.youngictexplorers.net.au.
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For more information, press only:
Wendy Hill, 0478 301 641, wendy.hill@sap.com,
Agency:
Andy Sephton, Recognition Public Relations, 02 9252 2266, andy_sephton@recognition.com.au
