Creativity shines through at Kinia Creative Tech Fest Event
Ireland’s creative future is in safe hands if the abundance of talent and creativity on display at this weekend’s Creative Tech Fest event is anything to go by.
Over 1,000 young people and those working in youth focussed organisations attended this week’s events, marking Kinia Creative Technology Week, the first national celebration of creative technology in Ireland.
[Kinia is an education focussed non-profit organisation and social enterprise, ensuring that critical future focussed skills and digital learning opportunities are accessible and available for all children and young people*]
Now celebrating its 10th year, the Creative Tech Fest event, an entirely inclusive event, was held in Cumann na bhFiann, Ionad Oige na hEireann, Drumree, Co Meath, and welcomed guests working in all types of youth focussed organisations and roles, including teachers, family resource centre professionals, youth workers and of course young people aged between 12-18 years, and showcased the incredible creative technology projects of young people throughout Ireland in the areas of STEAM, Digital Media and Computer Science. Earlier in the week an all-Irish version of the same event took place in the form of Tech Feile.
Attendees enjoyed a full programme of fully interactive events including the Kinia Robot Wars Competition, Kinia Live Concert, Kinia LAB & Spaces and a live streamed Kinia Award Ceremony.
Unsurprisingly the Robot Wars element of the day was a highlight for most, an initiative created to enhance team building skills, and effective planning as well as developing STEM and digital skills. Winner of the Robot Wars was Evan Timmins (11) from Guardian Angels N.S in Blackrock, Co Dublin and Kinia Tech Spacer of the Year was announced as Ryan Campbell (17) from Enniscorthy in Co Wexford.
A further highlight was the live music concert which saw 10 talented musicians and youth bands take centre stage with their performances being broadcast live across Spotify & YouTube platforms.
The event also coincided with the launch of the brand new Kinia NanoCreds – unique credentials for children and young people that reward, incentivise and build confidence as they strengthen their 21st century digital skills in creative technology. Recipients are the first in Ireland to receive a Kinia NanoCred, which is a European Digital Credential for Learning.
Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia commented “We’re delighted with the response to Creative Technology Week, the first nationally recognised celebration of Creative Technology here in Ireland, and to see such abundant talent on display at both this year’s Tech Feile and Creative Tech Fest events. It has given young people an opportunity to broaden their aspirations and be recognised for their learning skills development in Digital Media, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. The events during the week are a celebration of potential and are designed to spark interest in future career paths, helping to make sure that no young person is left behind in an increasingly complex and digital future.”
Further information and photos from the event can be found on www.kinia.ie
*The Kinia non-profit ethos prioritises educators who work in DEIS schools, School Completion Programme, Rural and Gaeltacht areas, TUSLA and youth work services to reach disadvantaged and marginalised young people.
**Kinia Creative Technology Week event is proudly supported by partners ESB, The Department of Tourism, Culture and An Gaeltacht, Creative Ireland, Medtronic, Science Foundation Ireland, Rethink Ireland and Sonalake.
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@KiniaCommunity @DeptCultureIRL @MDTFoundation @creativeirl @scienceirel @Rethink_Ireland @SonalakeHQ @ESBGroup
