Tameside College to host HACK Challenge
Fri, 25 November 2016
After the success of Tameside’s first hack, held in August, Tameside Council is pleased to announce that the hack is back. Plans are well under way to hold a second event, which will be on February 21-22 during the half-term holiday.
This time, the coding competition for 12 to 18-year-olds will take place at Tameside College’s Advanced Technologies Centre on Stamford Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside. Both days last from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
As with the summer event, teams of up to four hackers will take on challenges designed to test creativity and coding skills – which will be set by local businesses. This year’s sponsors include Arcadis UK and Purple who will also donate prizes for the winners.
Details can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/TamesideHack. The challenges will also be announced through Twitter: @TamesideHack
The Tameside Hack 2017 is a key element of Tameside Council’s, “Every Child a Coder” pledge and is led by the authority’s Employment and Skills Team. Schools, colleges, clubs and youth organisations are encouraged to enter, but hackers are free to take part with friends or to come as individuals and make new team-mates on the day. All levels of coding skill and experience are welcome.
Expert mentors will be present throughout both days to support hackers and give advice. So if you’re tech savvy and want to volunteer as a mentor, or you’re a business that would like to sponsor the hack or set a challenge, sign up now at http://www.tamesidehackmentors.eventbrite.co.uk/
Cllr. Lynn Travis, Tameside Council’s executive member for lifelong learning and every child a coder champion, said: “This is a great way for young people to have fun and meet others who are interested in coding.
The August event at Ashton Old Baths was a huge success and I’m sure this one will be even better. It’s free to attend and is a great opportunity for our young people to take part in something exciting and new during the half-term holiday, and at another of the borough’s prestige centres.”
Louise Shaw from Arcadis added: “It is fantastic that Arcadis is returning to support this event, this time as a sponsor.
“After the success of the summer hack we are keen to identify how we can collaborate further, to advocate and encourage the talent of these young minds and how their innovative ideas could impact our projects and clients in the future.
It’s great to be a part of something that could not only influence and transform Arcadis internally but the wider communities and industries around us.”
This year’s hack will benefit from being hosted by Tameside College at their brand new Advanced Technologies Centre, a high-tech building that is part of the Vision Tameside development project. Tameside College Deputy Principal, Teresa Farran, said: “‘We are absolutely delighted to host Hack 2017 at Tameside College. The hack will give local school pupils the opportunity to learn and the confidence to explore future careers in the STEM sectors.”
Iain Jewitt, Head of Technology at sponsor Purple WiFi agreed: “The hackathon is a fantastic way to give Tameside kids of all skill levels and backgrounds hands-on experience with code and technology, whilst working with experienced industry professionals.
It’s also a great way to get the industry thinking about the next generation of developers and engineers. I was blown away by the projects last time, and I can’t wait to get involved again!”
Book your place on the Tameside Hack by clicking here.