Coder Dojo HD

To coincide with the presence in Galway of CERN'S renowned "Accelerating Science" Exhibition, Boston Scientific is sponsoring 'Coding the Big Bang' awards in association with the Coderdojo Galway City computer coding club based at NUI Galway.

The aim of the competition is to create an informative web-based computer programme that explains the role of CERN's Large Hadron Collider in solving one of the great mysteries of the universe.

Brendan Smith, co-founder of Coderdojo Galway City commented, "It is quite appropriate that a computer coding challenge that will involve completed projects being hosted on an interactive web site is associated with both CERN and Galway. It was at CERN that the 'World Wide Web' was invented by physicist and computer scientist, Sir Tim Berners Lee, who also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway, which is one of the leading international web science research institutes."

Open to primary and post primary school students across Ireland, completed projects can use appropriate formats such as digital storytelling and interactive gaming and be written in computer programming languages such as Scratch, HTML, Java, C++ or Phyton.

Final submissions will be judged by a panel of experts who will base their assessments on criteria including game design, art, programming, originality, educational value, and user-friendliness.

Each of the category awards will take the form of a trophy and a cash prize. The closing date for projects' submission is Monday 19th November and the Prize Giving ceremony will take place on Sunday 25th November at the Galway Science & Technology Festival Exhibition.

Commenting on the announcement Mike O' Flynn, Managing Director and Vice President of Operations, Boston Scientific Galway said, "We're delighted to support this competition. This competition combined with the CERN Accelerating Science Exhibition is aimed at inspiring teenagers to the possibilities available to them for a future career within a Science and Technology field. I'm looking forward to seeing what these young kids can create."

Application forms, further information and competition rules can be obtained by applying to Brendan Smith at [email protected]