Youngsters from schools across Northamptonshire have been “creating a digital future” as part of a series of interactive Star Wars-themed taster sessions giving an insight into the online skills needed in the 21st century workplace.
Northampton College welcomed pupils from Northampton Academy, Weavers Academy and Welland Park Academy to Booth Lane for the event on Star Wars Day, May 4th, which formed part of its ongoing #IgniteTheSpark initiative to help young people get a feel for the world that awaits them and the skills they need to acquire to increase their chances in the future job market.
Pupils from each school group took part in four interactive workshop sessions delivered by subject specialists in media, IT, games design/animation and Esports.
Pat Brennan-Barrett, principal of Northampton College, said: “Digital is dominating almost every industry and it is so important that the next generation of employees are adept at using the technology at their disposal and ready to hit the ground running in the workplace.
“The possibilities that digital provides are endless. The future promises to be an exciting one, full of creativity, ingenuity and making the impossible become everyday.
“Hopefully we have shone a light on what lies ahead for these young people who are the future of our economy and the leaders of tomorrow.”
Sessions included branding your own Star Wars-themed Esports team, using green screen technology in the tv studio and control room to fly through space for an all-out lightsaber battle on the Death Star, Sculpting a Monster in Mud Box for an Xbox game and Episode X: Revenge of the Script - learning to code a website using HTML.
Gavin Condon of Welland Park Academy said: “The day gave pupils a taste of four different areas of digital careers. We were all very impressed with the facilities especially the studio and Esports centre. The pupils loved the green screen and have photos to treasure from the day.”
