element 14 and Leeds Ahead's 'Make the Grade' programme
collaborate to inspire pupils to consider career
opportunities in science and technology
LONDON - May 30 2012 - element14, the first collaborative community and electronics store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts and a part of global electronics distributor Premier Farnell [LON:PFL], has donated a much coveted Raspberry Pi to Swallow Hill Community College in Leeds and held a master class with pupils and teachers to highlight the device's huge potential as an inspirational teaching aid. The initiative is part of a wider programme with Farnell element 14 partnering with social enterprise, Leeds Ahead in a programme called 'Make the Grade'.
element 14 is committed to playing its part in pioneering
the necessary change in ICT teaching by working with
schools and social enterprise bodies to help reignite
childrens' passion for science and technology.
The teaching of information and communications technology
(ICT) in UK schools has been a hot topic for many months
with Ofsted, Schools Minister Nick Gibb, Secretary of State
for Education Michael Gove and most recently Google's
chief executive, Eric Schmidt, all of whom share a desire
to enhance current teaching practices. Areas such as
databases and programming often lack real-life relevance,
which can inspire the majority of pupils. Where pupils do
develop a specific interest in the subject, the experience
they receive externally complements what they learn in the
classroom and often spurs them onto greater achievement.
At the master class children aged between 11-12 worked in
groups under the instruction of Mike Powell, Technical
Development Manger, element 14 to create a number of web
pages, using the Raspberry Pi as mini web server. The
exercise was aimed at demonstrating the availability and
use of open source applications, such as Linux, and to show
the range of applications for the Raspberry Pi.
Speaking at the class Mike Powell commented: "The Raspberry
Pi is the ideal teaching aid to inspire a new generation of
engineers and computer experts, the added value of the
element 14 community also means that rather than simply
providing the equipment we can provide an invaluable online
resource for anyone to discuss, share and develop ideas
involving the Raspberry Pi. Today has been great fun and
we're really looking forward to helping pupils at Swallow
Hill find out just what else the Raspberry Pi can do."
"The master class was a fantastic opportunity for our kids
to get an insight into the opportunities available with
modern IT. We hope that days like this and the continued
use of the Raspberry Pi at Swallow Hill will really inspire
the pupils to consider careers in the field and give them a
competitive advantage in a world were computer skills are
more essential than ever," commented Bryan Pearce Assistant
Principal, Swallow Hill Community College.
"The Raspberry Pi master class is the perfect example of
what we do at Leeds Ahead, bringing the private sector
together with public organisations to unlock social
potential. Getting the pupils of Swallow Hill interested in
programming and sharing the expertise of element 14 will
not only benefit the children, but also local communities
as the children develop new skills which can be reinvested
in the future," added Sophie Nesworthy, Project
Coordinator, Leeds Ahead.
Leeds Ahead works with the public and private sectors to
foster social and economic regeneration in the city, in a
bid to search for new talent coming through the
ranks. element14 and Leeds Ahead's 'Make the Grade'
programme will be working with the school to create
structured and tailored plans to offer pupils greater
insight into a range of career opportunities.
ENDS
Editors' Notes:
The Raspberry Pi Model B computer is available through
element14 at element14.com/raspberrypi
A selection of images from the day can be downloaded using this link gallery.me.com/simonx2#106485
About element14
Launched in June 2009, element14 is the first information
portal, collaborative community and electronics store
specifically built for electronic design engineers. The
community recently unveiled its element14 knode, a
unique automated platform that enables engineers to quickly
research, design, develop and prototype in a single,
intelligent environment. element14 is an innovative
offering from Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), FTSE 250, a
leader in multi-channel electronics distribution trading
throughout Europe (Farnell), the Americas (Newark) and Asia
Pacific (element14). The company had group sales of £990.8m
and underlying profits of £93.3m last year.
About Premier Farnell
Premier Farnell
plc (LSE:pfl) is a global leader in high service
distribution of technology products and solutions for
electronic system design, maintenance and repair. Its
differentiated proposition includes 29 local language
transactional websites, and the critically important element14
Community for design engineers - an industry first (www.element14.com).
With sales last year of £990.8m and underlying profits of
£93.3m the Group distributes its comprehensive portfolio of
products and services throughout Europe, North America and
Asia Pacific, supported by a global supply chain of over
3,500 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to
anticipate and meet its customers' needs.
While global in scope, Premier Farnell recognises the
individual needs of each market and has continued to
internationalise its model accordingly. It trades locally
as Farnell in Europe, Newark/element14 in North America and
Mexico and Farnell Newark in Brazil. Across Asia Pacific
the business trades as element14.
About Leeds Ahead
Leeds Ahead is an independent social enterprise that brings
the public, private and social sectors together to unlock
potential. Its board of directors is made up of leaders
drawn from the private, public and social sectors, all of
whom share a commitment to long-term progress.
Leeds Ahead is supported by Leeds City Council, and
sponsored by many of the region's influential businesses
and organisations. It delivers a professional and
structured service, facilitating access to programmes and
initiatives that enable businesses of all sizes to play a
hands-on role in society.
Since its formation in 2004, Leeds Ahead has brought more
than 500 businesses and organisations together benefitting
over 18,000 people, and delivering more than £3m of direct
value.
For news updates from Premier Farnell visit:
Premier Farnell News Centre - www.premierfarnell.com/media-centre
Twitter - @element14news
Facebook - /element14page
Or contact:
Email: pressoffice@premierfarnell.com
European Contact:
Aakriti Kaushik
PR Manager, Europe and Global
Premier Farnell and Farnell
Tel: +44 (0) 113 279 0101
Email: akaushik@premierfarnell.com
Press contact
Darren Willsher/Andrea Berghall
EML Wildfire
Tel: +44 (0) 208 408 8000
Email: element14@emlwildfire.com
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