Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn was on hand for the launch of the ICS Scratch competition for 2013. The ICS Scratch Competition is sponsored by Lero – the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre, and supported by IT Tallaght and IT Sligo.
The 2013 Scratch Competition gives students an understanding of how software is built and how it works. It encourages students to use software to solve problems; encourages innovation and creativity; and gives them a taste of possible future careers. This rewarding and booming sector grew almost 10% last year alone according to Enterprise Ireland.
Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society, said: "The Irish Computer Society is delighted to have Lero on board as gold sponsors of the ICS Scratch competition. Lero and ICS have worked closely for years so that students of all ages can gain 21st century skills. Over the past number of years the IT field is one of the few to experience employment growth and as time progresses technology will play an even more important role in everyday life. Scratch gives students practical experience of the skills required for this diverse, well-rewarded and growing profession."
This year has also seen a dramatic rise in the level of younger Scratch users with the introduction of classroom packs for Primary Schools. At primary level, Scratch is now being taught in over 700 classrooms.
Clare McInerney, education and outreach officer at Lero, said: "This is the fourth year of the Irish Scratch competition and the entries continue to get more impressive every year as more students use Scratch to develop their interest in technology. Scratch allows students to develop creative and critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills as they work collaboratively or individually on Scratch projects."
Teachers can register their interest in the competition online now. Students’ projects must be submitted by 22 March 2013. The finals will be held in May in Dublin.
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