Jo seeks entrants to new Primary IT competition

2.32.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

The Made IT Happen competition aims to encourage Primary pupils to use ICT skills to benefit their schools and communities

Jo Swinson has invited East Dunbartonshire Primary school children to enter a new competition to use IT skills to help their school or local community. The invitation coincided with a visit by Jo to Balmuildy Primary in Bishopbriggs today.

In an email to all Primary schools in East Dunbartonshire today, Jo promoted the UK-wide competition, 'Made IT Happen'. The competition challenges Primary school pupils aged nine to eleven to organise projects that show the best use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources to the benefit of the school, local community, in the UK or across the world.

Commenting after the visit to Balmuildy Primary, Jo said:

"Pupils are getting to grips with computers and technology at an increasingly young age. One of the important roles teachers can play is to show how these ICT skills can be applied to projects that benefit the school and wider community.

"I have emailed an invitation to all Primary schools in East Dunbartonshire to participate in the Made IT Happen competition.

"The Pupils at Balmuildy Primary already incorporate computer skills into much of their work. I hope they, and pupils from other schools across East Dunbartonshire, will be encouraged to get involved with Made IT Happen. Projects don't have to be ambitious or expensive - it's about making best use of the available resources to make a difference."

A prize of £1,000 is available to the winning school from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and each of the English Regions. In addition, £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 will be awarded to the schools placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall. The competition closes on 13th July 2007.

Related Link:

More info on 'Made IT Happen'