Hackfest 2017 has delivered creative, digital making and enterprise skills to over 150 young people aged 14-19 across Devon this autumn.
Conceived by Plymouth College of Art and funded by Next Steps South West, Devon County Council and Santander Foundation, HackFest Skills Workshops and Challenge Days have been delivered at Petroc, South Devon University Technical College and Plymouth College of Art.
The project aims to empower young people to make product prototypes in response to societal issues of the future. It has been met with great enthusiasm from schools, colleges and businesses alike.
A big thank you to those schools who took part this year, namely:
- Pilton Community College
- Petroc, Great Torrington School
- Illfracombe Academy
- South Devon UTC
- South Devon Academy
- Plympton Academy
- Stover School
- Plymouth School of Creative Arts
- Plymouth College of Art.
Nine winners from the Challenge Days were announced at the beginning of November.
Currently, judges from the Met Office, Kaleider (University of Miami – citizen science and hackathon expert) and Capital Pilot (investment company) are assessing the video pitches made by the winners and they will crown the overall winners of the competition this week.
These winners will receive unique opportunities to gain experience and insight into high-tech creative, digital industries the future generation of inventors and entrepreneurs.