Exhibition Stall

Days 1 to 4

Digital Stepping Stones set up an exhibition stall every day of the Ghana Innovation Week 2017 (iWeek). There was a demonstration of the functionality and application of single board computers using the Raspberry Pi. There were practical exercises branded as innovative and simple coding for non-IT people.

Lots of people registered their interest and requested further contact. These included individuals, schools, teachers, students, parents, etc The Vice President of Ghana, Deputy Minister for Communications and the Indian High Commissioner (among others) toured the exhibition stall

Address to Private Schools

Day 1

On Day 1 of the iWeek, Mr Christian Eric Longdon, CEO of Digital Stepping Stones addressed a gathering of 600 students from 30 private schools across Ghana. He introduced Digital Stepping Stones and the campaign to incorporate Coding into the Nationl Curriculum. He defined the subject of Physical Computing and what it entailed. He showed them a Rspberry Pi and gave them the opportunity to examine the device and ask questions.

Mr Longdon spoke about the impact of Physical Computing to logical thinking, transferable skills and career prospects. He also spoke about relevance to everyday life, modern technology and the Internet of Things.

A number of schools and students subsequently registered their interest at the Digital Stepping Stones Exhibition Stall to know more and get involved. The Advanced Information Technology Institute, Ashesi University, University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the IOT (Internet of Things) Club and the Ghana Robotics Club, have all registered their interest to discuss further collaboration

‘CODING THE FUTURE’ WORKSHOP

Days 1 to 3

Mrs Shirley Thompson designed and presented Coding the Future workshop using the Raspberry Pi and BBC Microbit. The purpose of the workshop was to design and present a simple, dynamic, hands-on course that would allow the students to understand the basics of Physical Computing using the Raspberry Pi.

The workshop was a 3 Day Course - Introduction to Physical Computing on Days 1 – 3 of iWeek. 22 secondary school students from SOS College (16 year olds) participated. A former teacher and 2 members of the public with an interest in IT also participated. The workshop taught coding with Python with practical applications.

On Day 3 students worked in groups doing projects working with Raspberry Pi, LED lights, sensors, cameras, videos and other external devices. Every student was able to complete all the exercises and each group completed their project.

OPENING CEREMONY

Day 2

The Guest of Honour at the iWeek HE Vice President of Ghana, Dr Bawumia, toured the exhibition stall and spoke to Digital Stepping Stones, stating that he fully supported our campaign.

The Vice President, together with the Deputy Minister for Communications, Hon George Andah and the Indian high Commissioner to Ghana came into the workshop and spoke to Mrs Shirley Thompson and the SOS students. The VP stated that he was very excited about the whole concept, especially the feedback from the students.

The Guests of Honour then gave their keynote speeches in the main auditorium to an audience of over 700 people. Both the Vice President and the Deputy Minister for Education applauded Digital Stepping Stones in their keynote speeches.

Christian Eric Longdon then did a presentation in the main auditorium about Digital Stepping Stones, the Raspberry Pi and our commitment to our campaign to incorporate Physical Computing into the National Curriculum

STUDENTS PROJECT SHOWCASE

Day 3

SOS students completed their group projects with some spectacular results. They employed the use of LED lights, sensors, cameras, video and switches in their final projects. They wrote codes for practical solutions, games, alarms, video and camera security and proximity sensors.

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES

Day 3

Mr Kojo Graham, CEO of VASINTEL and well known philanthropist attended with the press to see the students’ completed projects.