Schools challenged to join IT competition

The Make IT Happy competition rewards inspirational work done in classrooms to connect with communities and improve lives.

Judges will look for innovative ways pupils have used technology to forge links with others.

Entries could be as simple as helping younger children to use IT or linking up with other parts of the country.

Projects could even be international, such as connections with serving British troops abroad or ties with the developing world.

Mr Barron said: “The competition offers a unique way for schools to engage with their wider communities to make a positive impact on the lives of others, while at the same time enhancing their own knowledge of IT.

“As well as the cash prizes on offer, I’m confident that pupils will enjoy the chance to work together on such an exciting and relevant project.

“Entries should be as imaginative as possible in order to capture the attention of the judges.

“The competition is all about giving young people a chance to use their imagination, creativity and technology skills and show how IT can make a difference to the world around them.”

Make IT Happy is run by e-skills UK and the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee.

Regional winners will attend an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in June, where a grand prize of £4,000 will be handed out. Enter at makeithappy.cc4g.net before the closing date of April 10.