Posted: 30 March, 2020

GDST ‘Smart Cities’ Techathon

Community, Design, General, News, Senior School, STEM, Trips

On Thursday 12 March a group of Year 8 and 9 Computer Science students visited The Crystal building at Royal Victoria Dock to participate in the GDST ‘Smart Cities’ Techathon.

The event focused on environmental issues, showing students that technology is key to improving their communities and challenging them to use technology to improve built environments.

There were keynotes speeches from Julia Muir, founder of the UK Automative 30% Club – which aims to achieve a better gender balance within the automotive industry – and alumna of Sheffield High School, GDST;  also from Sarra Pardali, Head of Infrastructure and Sustainability at the GDST.

"It was a fantastic day based around Smart Cities and sustainability; all Year 8 and Year 9 enjoyed the day. We even used London's smart technology, the Emirates cable car, to make our way back. The aerial views of London topped off the conference"

Mr Richards

The key note speeches introduced themes such as: what is a smart environment, what are the potential opportunities and challenges of smart cities and what skills are needed to build and power smart environments?

The main event of the day was a Dragon’s-Den-style innovation challenge, supported by industry mentors. Teams of 10 students got together to create a product, service or application to encourage sustainability in a smart environment.

Our Year 8 and 9 Computer Science students outside The Crystal building at Royal Victoria Dock. The building contains a permanent exhibition about sustainable development.

Our Year 8 and 9 Computer Science students outside The Crystal building at Royal Victoria Dock. The building contains a permanent exhibition about sustainable development.

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