National technology award for Stoke students

The four pupils were presented with their award – a Nintendo Wii each – by TV presenter Jason Bradbury, from the Gadget Show.

Pupils from a Stoke-on-Trent primary school are celebrating after walking away with a national award which showcased their use of modern technology.

The team of four, from Packmoor Primary School, were chosen as one of six national winners in the “Y Factors” competition, which looks at innovation and ingenuity by young people using modern “gadgets” such as mobile ‘phones. There were 200 schools competing for one of the six top places in the competition.

In the case of the Packmoor Year 5 and 6 students, they were challenged to use “smart” ‘phones (a phone that offers advanced capabilities, with a PC function) for a school project which saw them create their own mobile websites as well as writing and performing a musical rap video called “Switch that mobile phone off!” They also captured data via GPS on their ‘phones, as they toured every town in the Potteries to learn about the culture of Stoke-on-Trent.

The students were helped by advisor Jenny Hulme, an expert in eLearning. She said: “The enthusiasm and creativity of the children was terrific and this was an excellent opportunity for children from the city to be at the forefront of an e-learning initiative – both City Learning Centres and the school are very proud of them.”

Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, Councillor Ian Mitchell, said: “I never cease to be amazed by the willingness of young people to embrace new technology and the speed with which they understand the most complex pieces of equipment. This is a real tribute to them, the school and the CLCs.”