The three (3) days Tech Summer Code Camp for kids and teens tagged “Abia4tech TeenHack” organized by the leading Software and Technology Innovation Hub (RAD5 Tech Hub) in Aba, Abia State, ended on Friday 18th August, 2017.
TeenHack being a tech initiative of RAD5 Tech Hub in collaboration with Google Developer Group Aba is crafted to provide kids and teens within 8 -16 years a personalized and hands-on learning on Computer Coding, Robotics Engineering, Game Programming, and other current trends in technology.
The technology workshop commenced on Wednesday 16th August, 2017 with 40 students as participants, and ended on Friday 18th August, 2017. For the first time ever, kids in Abia State were engaged on hands-on tech workshop to learn Game Programming and Virtual Reality with Google Cardboard Headsets.
On day one, the event attracted the presence of the ICT Director, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Mr. Chike David. The kids were exposed to Computer Hardware, Introduction to Computing and Introduction to Scratch Programming Language.
Scratch Programming was continued on day two where they did more interesting game, storytelling exercises and projects with Scratch. Virtual Reality section came up during the event where the kids were taught the application and principle of Virtual Reality using the Google Cardboard. They all practically used the Google Cardboard Headset to play educative games. Scratch Programming exercises was continued after refreshments. Day two ended successfully in anticipation of the grand finale (day 3) for kids to contest by building their own games and storylines using the Scratch Programming Language.
The grand finale day three (3) attracted the presence of the Nigeria Country Mentor Google Developer Groups – Mr. Hanson Johnson, The Organizer Startup Weekend Abia – Mr Daniel Chinagozi, The Popular Broadcasting Service (PBS) Cable, Rhema FM and ICT teachers from different schools in Abia State. Kids completed their game and storytelling projects as the Google Developer Groups Country Mentor and Mr. Daniel Chinagozi accessed their projects and they happen to be the Chief Judges for the contest.
It was quite amazing on the announcement of the winners of the contest to have 10-year-old Victoria emerged top 4 out of the 40 contestants that participated. Victoria was awarded the fourth position after designing a game cartoon of kids singing and playing. The third position went to Emmanuel (13-year-old) who designed a car race game. Second position went to Chinyere (15 years old) who designed an interactive storyline of her experience at the TeenHack workshop. The winner of the contest was Ebuka a 16-year-old boy that designed an interactive Educational Game with user input and scoreboard.
The winners were given sets of Google Cardboards, T-shirts, Books and Biro. They will be given a one-year free membership ticket to join the leading Technology Innovation Hub (RAD5 Tech Hub) in Abia State. It was so inspiring to have other kids who designed interactive Tennis games, movies, and storylines.
TeenHack2017 ended with the ICT teacher session with a round table discussion on the need to revolutionize the education sector using technology. Teachers demanded that they too are willing to be empowered and asked for TeenHack to be incorporated as a Tech and Innovation Club in their respective schools. The workshop recorded a turnout of 40 kids and 12 coaches/volunteers.
TeenHack has come to stay according to RAD5 Tech Hub Founders as a way to transforming the tech ecosystem in Abia State. They thanked the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba for their support in giving out their TEF Computer Laboratory for the TeenHack 2017 Edition.
We are not relying on Government or organizations to support TeenHack. We self-sponsored 40 kids in this year edition, providing them with writing materials, gift items, food/launch for 3 days. We are only calling for tech passionate individuals, corporate organizations and government agencies to invest in this campaign of transforming the tech ecosystem in Abia State through the TeenHack Initiative for kids and teens to leverage on current trends on technology for nation building and self-reliance the TeenHack Initiators stated.
TeenHack 2018 edition preparation has commence to help us achieve greater impact than 2017 edition.
Complete picture gallery for TeenHack2017 can be found here: https://goo.gl/photos/6tSdRaZ1DFLpuKk39
Akwa Peter U.
(Program Manager)
RAD5 Tech Hub