- Over 300 Young People from across the country attend ESB Creative Tech Fest showcasing Digital Creativity and STEAM inspirations for future generations
Dublin, 1st November: 17-year old Cork native Alicia O’Sullivan has been named ESB TechSpacer of the Year at the ESB Creative Tech Fest. Her digital creativity project “I Care,” relfecting her passion for social advocacy, was selected from over 300 projects submitted for this year’s awards, which celebrate the creations, inventions and inspirations of young people across the country in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) and Digital Creativity.
Alicia received a cheque for €500 to invest in her project as well as a year-long mentorship programme from ESB. Over 20 awards in STEAM and Digital Creativity were awarded at the event, which also saw Don Rogers of NEWKD, Castleisland, Co Kerry named ESB TechSpace Educator of the Year.
Pat O’Doherty, Chief Executive of the ESB, said “We are proud to support the work of TechSpace through our Generation Tomorrow programme, which supports organisations working to empower young people through STEAM learning initiatives. ESB Creative Tech Fest is an incredible showcase of creativity and innovation from young people across the country, and highlights their potential to find creative solutions to the challenges they face today and will face in the future.”
ESB Creative Tech Fest is the national showcase of the TechSpace creative education network managed by Camara Education Ireland. Over 300 young people aged between 10 and 18 from over 70 local youth clubs and groups were recognised for their project work in STEAM and Digital Media, and had the opportunity to engage in in workshops, talks and interactive exhibitions.
18 year-old scientist and entrepreneur Ciara Judge, named by Time Magazine in 2014 as one of the 25 most influential teens worldwide, was the key speaker at today’s event. Ciara inspired the young audience with her story, charting her short journey from winning the BT Young Scientist, the European Union Contest for Young Scientists and the Google Global Science Fair to becoming co-director of her first company, Germinaid Innovations, and her recent second start-up PurchaseMate, while studying at MIT, Boston.
Speaking at today’s event, Ciara said: "I'm very excited to be speaking at this year's ESB Creative Tech Fest because I believe that technology really is a game changer in creating a better world, and nobody understands that more than the youth of today."
The Science Foundation Ireland funded programme “The NYCI TechSpace STEM in Youth Work Maker Project” which has trained over 320 educators over the last two years, was highlighted at ESB Creative Tech Fest through youth exhibits and STEM workshops including a life-size hologram, large-scale conductive circus tight wire that plays music, a Finnish/Irish makerspace and a paper circuitry workshop by artist Maeve Clancy.
Two ESB VR experiences allowed attendees to connect their STEM workshops with the real life challenges of fixing subsea cables and repairing cables following faults on the electricity infrastructure.
Margie McCarthy, Interim Director of Science and Society at Science Foundation Ireland, spoke about their support for the programme: “Science Foundation Ireland is committed to making science, technology, engineering and maths accessible and engaging to the young people of Ireland. It is imperative that we demonstrate to them the diverse and exciting directions that a science-related career can take, and this can be achieved by involving them in hands-on initiatives which build their interest and confidence in STEM. For that reason we are delighted to support the STEM in Youth Work project, and would like to congratulate every participant for their brilliant achievements.”
Google Computer Science - Foróige TechSpaces celebrated their new Computer Science (CS) skills as part of a brand new project, proudly sponsored by Google.org. Young people created stories in Google CS First coding workshops, and had the opportunity to invent with the BBC MicroBit and learn about Computer Science Careers for Girls, and enjoy a robot fashion show featuring the creations of young people attending the event.
Claire Conneely, Computer Science Education Programme Manager, says she was hugely impressed by the projects on display. “For the third year running, Google is proud to be hosting more than 300 young people and educators from 70 youth clubs and schools across Ireland for Creative Tech Fest. I’m completely blown away by the level of creativity and technical skills shown by the young people today in their projects and exhibitions -- with these critical skills for working and living in 21st century Ireland, they are sure to go places!”
As well as the exhibition, talks and workshop, entertainment on the day was from multi-instrumentalist and rising Irish electronic artist Daithí O’Dronai and rising contemporary Trad Pop band Tógra, themselves former TechSpacers, who performed bilingually.
The Irish language was at the heart of ESB Creative Tech Fest with bilingual workshops, awards, exhibits and live performances. Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the Island, Seán Kyne T.D., emphasised the importance of offering young people the chance to express themselves creatively through their native language: “ESB Creative Tech Fest is a wonderful annual event that gives young people the opportunity to express their creative ideas. It encourages them and gives them confidence when using cutting-edge technology. The TechSpace project has clearly drawn much interest and attention, as this is the sixth year in a row that the annual event has been held. I am delighted that Clár TechSpace is part of this magical event again this year and that my Department was able to fund the event. I would like to thank all those involved in TechSpace, as well as the schools and sponsors who have done great work to make this event happen today."
ENDS
For further information: Elaine Scahill, TechSpace, E: elaine.scahill@camara.ie M: 086 1535833
Photographs released FOC by Andres Poveda, E: info@apphoto.ie M: 086 8343242
Notes to editor:
The TechSpace Programme enhances the work of Teachers, Volunteers and Youth Workers to give young people access to a space where they can create, invent and inspire through Digital Creativity (Film-making, Animation, Photography, Graphic Design, and Mojo.) And STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths). TechSpace is a national movement that aims to change the lives of young people in Ireland by becoming Ireland’s leading creative technology network for outcome-focused youth development. The TechSpace Network is made of a consortium of youth organisations, schools and partners as members and it is managed centrally by Social Enterprise Camara Education Ireland.
The NYCI TechSpace STEM in Youth Work Maker Project is training and supporting youth workers to inspire young people to create, invent and make with science and technology. It is a partnership project between NYCI and Camara Education Ireland and is delivered through the TechSpace programme. The project is funded by the Science Foundation of Ireland with additional funding from ESB and Inver.
Full List of 2018 ESB Creative Tech Fest Winners
Best Photograph: Robot Family by Cillian O'Toole (11), Ballinfoyle Galway
Best GIF: Global Goals EYES by Bethan Jenkins (17), Poppy Cairns (17), Aoibheann Geary (17), David Walsh (17) YMCA West Cork
Best Photoshop Editing Flower Fairy by Cassidy Rushe (13), Carrickmacross Library
Best Short Video: What a Day by Lena Goumaa (15), Alisha Tsoumbou (15), Shakira Adelakun (16) SWICN
Best Music Video: Riches by Bethan Jenkins (17), Poppy Cairns (17), Aoibheann Geary (17), Liadh Pyburn (17), Ruari Maguire (18), YMCA West Cork
Create with Purpose: “I Care” by Alicia O’Sullivan (17), Aaron O’Sullivan (22), YMCA West Cork
Design Award: T-shirts by Madison, Madison Lynch (10), Carrickmacross Library
Best Sound Production: Market Saturation by Aidan Maxwell (16), BRYR
Makey Makey Master: Games Cabinet by Aiden Rogers, Clare Youth Service
Best Stem Racer: NEWKD, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
STEMbassador: Eco-Stop by Mohammed, The Clubhouse, Foroige, Dublin
Duais Chruthaitheachta: Cubby an Ciúb ag Adam Ó Cuinneagáin, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Gaillimh
Duais Físiúil: The Curtain Caller ag Tommy Finn, James Ó Dubháin, Pádraig Ó hAiniféin, PobalScoil Chorca Dhuibhne, An Daingean, Ciarraí
Duais Fuaime: Amhránaiocht ar an seanós ag Ciarán Mac Craith, Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna, Gaillimh
CS@Foróige TechSpace Innovative Award: Foróige Computer Clubhouse Website by Ethan Bradbury (16)Foróige Blanchardstown Computer Clubhouse
Inventive Award (MicroBit Robots): Mark Hynes (13) Foróige Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Creative Computer Science Project: Scratch Witch Game by Layla Storey (9), Foroige Huntstown
Bliain Na Gaeilge Award Cúpla Focal le TechSpace: Pugs ag Jack Sheehan, Foróige Knocknaheaney
ESB TechSpacer Special Recognition Award: Catherine Mc Cready, Foróige Killybegs, Co. Donegal
ESB TechSpacer of the Year: Alicia O’Sullivan, YMCA, Cork
ESB TechSpace Educator of the Year: Don Rogers, NEWKD, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
As Gaeilge
Breis is 300 duine óg ó gach cearn den tír ag ESB Creative Tech Fest agus eiseamláirí na Cruthaitheachta Digití agus ábhar spreagthach STEAM ar taispeáint acu do na glúinte atá le teacht
Baile Átha Cliath, 1 Samhain: Cailín 17 bliana d'aois as Corcaigh, Alicia O Sullivan ainmnithe ina ESB TechSpacer na Bliana ag ESB Creative TechFest, a bhí ar siúl inniu in The Foundry, Google. Roghnaíodh an tionscadal a rinne sí ar “I Care” as 300 tionscadal a chuir isteach ar ghradaim na bliana seo, a dhéanann ceiliúradh ar aireagáin, ar nuálaíocht agus ar ábhar inspreagtha daoine óga ar fud na tíre a bhaineann úsáid as scileanna STEAM[1] agus as an gCruthaitheacht Dhigiteach.
Bronnadh seic €500 ar Alicia le hinfheistiú ina thionscadal mar aon le clár meantóireachta bliana ó ESB. Bronnadh breis is 18 gradam i réimsí STEAM agus na Cruthaitheachta Digití ag an ócáid, agus ainmníodh Don Bosco Rogers ina Oideachasóir TechSpace EBS na Bliana.
Is é a dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach ESB, Pat O'Doherty: “Tá an-bhród orainn tacú le hobair TechSpace lenár gclár Generation Tomorrow a thugann tacaíocht d’eagraíochtaí ar mian leo cumhacht a thabhairt do dhaoine óga de bhun tionscnamh foghlama STEAM. Is iontach an léiriú ar chruthaitheacht agus ar nuálaíocht i measc daoine óga ar fud na tíre é ESB Creative Tech Fest, agus tarraingíonn sé aird ar an gcumas atá iontu teacht ar réitigh chruthaitheacha ar na dúshláin atá le sárú san am i láthair agus san am atá romhainn amach.
Is taispeántas náisiúnta é ESB Creative Tech Fest de ghréasán oideachais chruthaithigh atá ag dul ó neart go neart, gréasán a bhainistíonn Camara Education Ireland. Tugadh aitheantas do bhreis is 300 duine óg idir 10 agus 18 mbliana d'aois ó níos mó ná 70 club agus grúpa óige áitiúil as a dtionscadal i réimsí STEAM agus na Cruthaitheachta Digití, agus bhí deis acu tabhairt faoi cheardlanna, faoi chainteanna agus faoi thaispeántais idirghníomhacha.
Bhí an t-eolaí agus an fiontraí óg Ciara Judge, atá 18 mbliana d’aois, ina haoichainteoir ag an ócáid. D'ainmnigh Time Magazine Ciara ar dhuine de na 25 déagóir is mó a théann i bhfeidhm ar an tsochaí ar fud an domhain. Chuaigh Ciara i gcion go mór ar an lucht féachana óg lena scéal, a thug cuntas ar Eolaí Óg BT, Comórtas an Aontais Eorpaigh d'Eolaithe Óga agus Aonach Eolaíochta Domhanda Google a bhuachan agus ansin a bheith ina comhstiúrthoir ar a céad chomhlacht, Germinaid Innovations, gan trácht ar an dara comhlacht nuathionscanta dá cuid, PurchaseMate, a bhunaigh sí agus í ag déanamh staidéir in MIT, Bostún.
“Tá an-áthas orm a bheith ag labhairt ag ESB Creative Tech Fest na bliana seo toisc go gcreidim go bhfuil an teicneolaíocht fíorthábhachtach chun domhan níos fearr a chruthú, agus ní fearr a thuigeann éinne é sin ach daoine óga," a dúirt Ciara ag ócáid an lae inniu.
Chuir “The NYCI TechSpace STEM in Youth Work Maker Project” a mhaoiníonn Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann oiliúint ar bhreis is 320 oideachasóir le dhá bhliain anuas. Cuireadh an tionscadal i láthair ag ESB Creative TechFest le taispeántais de chuid daoine óga agus le ceardlanna STEM, ina measc holagram fíormhéide, teannsreing mhór seolta sorcais a sheinneann ceol, spás déantóra na Fionlainne/na hÉireann agus fiú amháin ceardlann ciorcaid pháipéir leis an ealaíontóir Maeve Clancy.
Thug dhá eispéireas VR, a bhí faoi stiúir innealtóirí iarchéime agus Teicneoirí Líonra ESB, deis do dhaoine a bhí i láthair ceardlanna foghlama STEAM a nascadh le dúshláin an tsaoil iarbhír maidir le cáblaí faoin bhfarraige a dheisiú nó dreapadh in airde ar chuailí chun cáblaí a nascadh le chéile tar éis fabhtanna sa chóras a aimsiú.
Labhair Margie McCarthy, Stiúrthóir Eatramhach Eolaíochta agus Sochaí le Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann faoin tacaíocht a thugann siadsan don chlár: “Tá Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann meáite ar an eolaíocht, an teicneolaíocht, an innealtóireacht, agus an mhatamaitic a chur ar fáil do dhaoine óna in Éirinn agus iad a bheith rannpháirteach iontu. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go léirímid dóibh na gairmeacha éagsúla agus spreagúla is féidir le céimí i réimsí na heolaíocht a bhaint amach, agus is féidir é sin a bhaint amach ach iad a bheith páirteach i dtionscnaimh a chothaíonn a spéis agus a muinín i STEM. Chuige sin, tá áthas orainn tacú leis an tionscadal STEM in Obair Óige, agus ba mhaith linn tréaslú le gach rannpháirtí as a gcuid éachtaí. "
Eolaíocht Ríomhaireachta Google - Rinne TechSpaces Foróige ceiliúradh ar a scileanna nua Eolaíochta Ríomhaireachta (CS) mar chuid de thionscadal úrnua a ndéanann Google.org urraíocht air. Chruthaigh daoine óga scéalta i gceardlanna códála Google CS First, agus bhí deis acu dul i mbun cumadóireachta le BBC MicroBit agus foghlaim faoi Ghairmeacha le hEolaíocht Ríomhaireachta do Chailíní, agus sult abhaint as seó faisin le róbait a bhí ag caitheamh ábhar a cheap daoine óga a bhí i láthair.
Chuaigh na tionscadail a bhí ar taispeáint i bhfeidhm go mór ar Claire Conneely, Bainisteoir an Chláir Oideachais san Eolaíocht Ríomhaireachta le Google. “Don tríú bliain as a chéile, tá Google bródúil a bheith ag óstáil níos mó ná 300 duine óg agus oideachasóir ó 70 club óige agus scoil ar fud na hÉireann le haghaidh Creative Tech Fest,” a dúirt sí. “Is iontach agus is aoibhinn liom leibhéal na cruthaitheachta agus na scileanna teicniúla a thaispeáin na daoine óga anseo inniu ina gcuid tionscadal agus taispeántas - agus na scileanna ríthábhachtacha sin acu le bheith ag obair agus ag maireachtáil in Éirinn an 21ú haois, is cinnte go bhfuil todhchaí mhaith rompu!"
Mar aon le ceardlanna, taispeántais agus cainteanna, bhí neart siamsaíochta ann, ina measc ceol leictreonach beo leis an gceoltóir iluirlise agus an taibheoir leictreonaice Gaeilge Daithí Ó Drónaí agus an buíon cheoil pop thraidisiúnta, Tógra, ar TechSpacers iad féin roimhe seo, a bhí ag ceol go dátheangach.
Bhí an Ghaeilge i gcroílár ESB Creative Tech Fest le ceardlanna dátheangacha, gradaim, taispeántais agus léirithe beo. Leag Príomh-aoire an Rialtais agus Aire Stáit na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán, Seán Kyne TD béim ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le deis a thabhairt do dhaoine óga iad féin a chur in iúl go cruthaitheach ina dteanga dhúchais:
“Is imeacht iontach bhliantúil é ESB Creative Tech Fest a thugann deis do dhaoine óga a gcuid smaointe cruthaitheacha a chur in iúl. Spreagann sé iad agus tugann siad muinín dóibh nuair a úsáideann siad teicneolaíocht nua-aoiseach. Is léir go bhfuil go leor spéise á chur sa tionscadal TechSpace, mar is é seo an séú bliain as a chéile a bhfuil an ócáid bhliantúil seo ar siúl. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil Clár TechSpace mar chuid den imeacht draíochta seo arís i mbliana agus go raibh mo Roinn in ann an ócáid a mhaoiniú. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a bhfuil baint acu le TechSpace, chomh maith leis na scoileanna agus na hurraithe a rinne obair mhór chun an ócáid seo a chur ar siúl inniu. “
CRÍOCH
Eolas beise ar fáil ó: Elaine Scahill, TechSpace, R: elaine.scahill@camara.ie G:
Grianghraf ar fáil ó Andres Poveda, R: info@apphoto.ie G: +353 (0)868343242
NÓTAÍ D’EAGARTHÓIRÍ:
Cuireann Clár TechSpace le hobair Mhúinteoirí, Oibrithe Deonacha agus Oibrithe Óige chun go mbeidh teacht ag daoine óga ar spás inar féidir leo ábhar a chruthú, a chumadh agus a bheith spreagthach leis an gCruthaitheacht Dhigiteach (Scannánaíocht, Beochan, Grianghrafadóireacht, Dearadh Grafach, Mojo), agus le STEAM ( eolaíocht, innealtóireacht, ealaíona agus matamaitic). Is gluaiseacht náisiúnta é TechSpace a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige saol daoine óga in Éirinn a athrú ach a bheith ar thús cadhnaíochta mar líonra tacaíochta don teicneolaíocht chruthaitheach maidir le forbairt óige atá dírithe ar thorthaí. Is é atá i Líonra TechSpace cuibhreannas d'eagraíochtaí óige, de scoileanna agus de chomhpháirtithe mar bhaill agus bainistíonn an Fiontar Sóisialta Camara Education Ireland go lárnach é.
Tá an Tionscadal MaKer um STEM in Obair Óige de chuid TechSpace NYCI ag chur oiliúint agus tacaíocht ar fáil d’oibrithe óige chun daoine a spreagadh i dtreo na cruthaitheachta, na cumadóireachta agus na déantúsaíochta leis an eolaíocht agus leis an teicneolaíocht. Is tionscadal comhpháirtíochta é idir NYCI agus Camara Education Ireland agus déantar é a sheachadadh tríd an gclár TechSpace. Maoiníonn Fondúireacht Eolaíochta na hÉireann an tionscadal le maoiniú breise ó Inver agus ESB.
Liosta Iomlán Bhuaiteoirí ESB Creative Tech Fest 2018
Buaiteorí
Full List of 2018 ESB Creative Tech Fest Winners
Best Photograph: Robot Family by Cillian O'Toole (11), Ballinfoyle Galway
Best GIF: Global Goals EYES by Bethan Jenkins (17), Poppy Cairns (17), Aoibheann Geary (17), David Walsh (17)
YMCA West Cork
Best Photoshop Editing Flower Fairy by Cassidy Rushe (13), Carrickmacross Library:
Best Short Video: What a Day by Lena Goumaa (15), Alisha Tsoumbou (15), Shakira Adelakun (16) SWICN
Best Music Video: Riches by Bethan Jenkins (17), Poppy Cairns (17), Aoibheann Geary (17), Liadh Pyburn (17), Ruari Maguire (18), YMCA West Cork
Create with Purpose: “I Care” by Alicia O’Sullivan (17), Aaron O’Sullivan (22), YMCA West Cork
Design Award: T-shirts by Madison, Madison Lynch (10), Carrickmacross Library
Best Sound Production: Market Saturation by Aidan Maxwell (16), BRYR
Makey Makey Master: Games Cabinet by Aiden Rogers, Clare Youth Service
Best Stem Racer: NEWKD Castleisland
STEMbassador: Eco-Stop by Mohammed, The Clubhouse, Foroige, Dublin
Duais Chruthaitheachta: Cubby an Ciúb ag Adam Ó Cuinneagáin, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Gaillimh
Duais Físiúil: The Curtain Caller ag Tommy Finn, James Ó Dubháin, Pádraig Ó hAiniféin, PobalScoil Chorca
Dhuibhne, An Daingean, Ciarraí
Duais Fuaime: Amhránaiocht ar an seanós ag Ciarán Mac Craith, Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna, Gaillimh
CS@Foróige TechSpace Innovative Award: Foróige Computer Clubhouse Website by Ethan Bradbury (16)Foróige Blanchardstown Computer Clubhouse
Inventive Award (MicroBit Robots): Mark Hynes, Foróige Castlebar
Creative Computer Science Project: Scratch Witch Game by Layla Storey (9), Foroige Huntstown
Bliain Na Gaeilge Award Cúpla Focal le TechSpace: Pugs ag Jack Sheehan, Foróige Knocknaheaney
ESB Special Recognition Award: Catherine Mc Cready, Foróige Killybegs
ESB TechSpacer of the Year: Alicia O’Sullivan, YMCA, Cork
ESB TechSpace Educator of the Year: Don Rogers, NEWKD, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
[1] An Eolaíocht, an Teicneolaíocht, an Innealtóireacht, na hEalaíona agus an Mhatamaitic