2014-06-25 BCS Bedford School Challenge 2014

Three first prize trophies were awarded in the first ever Bedford BCS Challenge, organised by the Bedford branch of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, together with Bedford Borough Council. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony on 25 June at Cranfield University:

  • The design prize was won by Verity Bowden, Holly Hawkins and Sophie Dennis from Mark Rutherford School
  • The digital leaders prize was won Callum Stone and Ethan Roberts, Ryan Heath and Sheridan Heywood Muir from Marston Vale School
  • The communication and animation prize was won by Max Ridley from Goldington Academy

Special mentions were made for Lucy Proctor and Jessica Buck from Mark Rutherford School for outstanding coding ability. Ryan Jessop and Lateisha Bedeu from Mark Rutherford School gained a special mention for the characters and humour in their project.

The judges commented that a lot of thought had been put into how characters move in the boundaries of the play area and how the controls worked. The games were very interactive, engaging and demonstrated high order skills in computing.

The competition was open to Bedford key stage 3 students (aged 11-14 and in Years 7, 8 and 9). Entrants were challenged to do one of the following tasks:

  • Using Scratch coding to produce an animation film to illustrate how a computer works
  • Using Kodu coding to create a treasure hunt, again illustrating how a computer works
  • Explain how the internet works for the 'Digital Leader' award

Dr Ip-Shing Fan, Chair of the BCS Bedford Branch, explained "Congratulations to the winners and runners up. The number and quality of entries has been excellent, the majority coming from Bedford Middle Schools. The enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated indicate a high standard has been achieved in a very short time. We are delighted to work with the Bedford Borough Council."

The challenge was part of the branch’s engagement with local schools to excite students in computing and develop careers in the IT profession. The competition was timed to coincide with the introduction of the new Computing Curriculum in September 2014.

All participants were judged on their creativity; how they selected, used, combined and presented images and text; the appropriate choice and use of programming instructions and software; the clarity of the finished presentation in demonstrating the topic.

Cllr Henry Vann, Portfolio for Education at Bedford Borough Council, said:

Encouraging children to gain expertise in technology means that the pupils in today’s school system can be prepared for tomorrow’s exciting world. Indeed, developing young peoples’ computer skills will benefit them throughout their lives and can help change the way they think.

For further information about the challenge please email either:
jacqueline.emkes@biddenham.beds.sch.uk or Ip-Shing Fan email: I.S.Fan@cranfield.ac.uk


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