In January, S1 pupils took part in a nationwide project called The Big Data Show, organised for us by Skills Development Scotland.

The workshops helped pupils to find out about cyber resilience and being a digital citizen, why data security is important on a personal level and in broader terms of local communities, national and global issues. They now have an understanding what data is and how to protect their own and others’ data online

In 1984 Rupert Goodwins, a teenage ethical hacker, hacked the email account of Prince Philip. At a time when cybercrime didn’t exist, he and his friends were prosecuted with (but not convicted of) forgery. This case formed the basis of today’s cybercrime laws. The Big Data Show is a ground-breaking, immersive creative learning experience using performance, gaming and digital magic, which tells that story, and explores the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world. The Big Data Show takes the form of an interactive theatre show, designed to educate young people across the UK in cyber vulnerability.

It’s hoped the experience will inspire pupils to think of data as something they can be creative with, and in turn, help inspire them to consider taking computer science as a subject and that they will enjoy working with digital technologies in their life and careers.

Completion of both workshops and taking part in The Big Data Show has qualified our pupils for 1 credit at SQA Level 3 in “An Introduction to Cyber Resilience and Digital Citizenship.”

Feedback from pupils has been very positive.

Tom said that he loved playing the Super swipe game on his phone, it was fun!

Leanna enjoyed programming the PIP robot and designing how it looked.

Everyone else loved Super Swipe!

Well done everyone!

August 2022 update

After pupils invented their PIP robot, they completed a creative writing task where they were asked to imagine what it would be like if our motorised emoji became conscious.

Write the motorised emoji’s first speech: What would it be like for this motorised emoji to wake up? What would it see, feel or understand about the world?

The pieces of writing were submitted to the Team at Civic Digits, along with those from all the other schools in Scotland who took part.

Just before the holidays, we heard that James had won 3rd prize for his story! Here he is with his £100.00 Amazon voucher – very well done James!