Technology firm聽UKFast has unveiled plans to create five new Raspberry Pi caf茅s for schools across Greater Manchester, in a move to take its mission of inspiring young digital talent to the next level.
The ‘caf茅s’ use Raspberry Pi computers which provide a simple and flexible tool for students to learn programming skills, giving them the opportunity to get hands-on with technology. Cloud hosting specialist聽UKFast is providing hardware, cabling and training resources.
The project targets areas where gaps in digital engagement exist, including wards which have traditionally lacked the resources to deliver cutting-edge digital training, as well as all-girls schools which have traditionally seen low uptake in technical subjects.
Sites selected for the project include: Holy Name RC Primary School in Moss Side, St Bedes Prep School in Hulme, Alderley Edge School for Girls, The Hollins Tech College in Accrington and Factory Youth Zone in North Manchester.
“I am proud that we work with a hugely diverse mix of schools in some challenging areas, where we can make a real impact to young people’s futures,” said Aaron Saxton (pictured below), director of training and education at UKFast.
“We鈥檙e seeing first-hand the potential of digital skills to change the story of these young people, to provide role models and to help them look beyond the boundaries of their local area. The Pi Caf茅 project is the perfect vehicle to inspire students to look at online technologies, programming and computer science skills.”
UKFast’s team of full-time teachers are already engaged in a range of programmes across the region; delivering code clubs, workshops and masterclasses to students at more than 100 schools.聽The expansion of the Pi caf茅 project follows the success of the first caf茅 at Broadoak School in Partington, which launched in 2015.
UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “The impact of the Broadoak caf茅 has given us the confidence to roll out more Raspberry Pi caf茅s, to give young people and the wider community hands-on access to tech. The feedback we’ve had shows that young people look at that building as a really exciting space to go and learn something different from traditional education.
“With the Broadoak caf茅, we’re seeing huge benefits in the development of the curriculum at the Dean Trust and the way pupils have been inspired.”
The new caf茅s represent a 拢100,000 investment in time and equipment and are set to launch early in 2018. The project comes as UKFast continues its work with the Dean Trust to launch a digital-focussed high school in Manchester following approval from the government.