TeenHack 2017: 10-Year-Old Victoria Became the Youngest Computer and Game Programmer in Abia State

The three (3) days Tech Summer Code Camp for kids and teens tagged “Abia4tech TeenHack” organized by the leading Software and Technology Innovation Hub (RAD5 Tech Hub) in Aba, Abia State, ended on Friday 18th August, 2017.

TeenHack being a tech initiative of RAD5 Tech Hub in collaboration with Google Developer Group Aba is crafted to provide kids and teens within 8 -16 years a personalized and hands-on learning on Computer Coding, Robotics Engineering, Game Programming, and other current trends in technology.

The technology workshop commenced on Wednesday 16th August, 2017 with 40 students as participants, and ended on Friday 18th August, 2017. For the first time ever, kids in Abia State were engaged on hands-on tech workshop to learn Game Programming and Virtual Reality with Google Cardboard Headsets.

On day one, the event attracted the presence of the ICT Director, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Mr. Chike David. The kids were exposed to Computer Hardware, Introduction to Computing and Introduction to Scratch Programming Language.

Scratch Programming was continued on day two where they did more interesting game, storytelling exercises and projects with Scratch. Virtual Reality section came up during the event where the kids were taught the application and principle of Virtual Reality using the Google Cardboard. They all practically used the Google Cardboard Headset to play educative games. Scratch Programming exercises was continued after refreshments. Day two ended successfully in anticipation of the grand finale (day 3) for kids to contest by building their own games and storylines using the Scratch Programming Language.

The grand finale day three (3) attracted the presence of the Nigeria Country Mentor Google Developer Groups – Mr. Hanson Johnson, The Organizer Startup Weekend Abia – Mr Daniel Chinagozi, The Popular Broadcasting Service (PBS) Cable, Rhema FM and ICT teachers from different schools in Abia State. Kids completed their game and storytelling projects as the Google Developer Groups Country Mentor and Mr. Daniel Chinagozi accessed their projects and they happen to be the Chief Judges for the contest.

It was quite amazing on the announcement of the winners of the contest to have 10-year-old Victoria emerged top 4 out of the 40 contestants that participated. Victoria was awarded the fourth position after designing a game cartoon of kids singing and playing. The third position went to Emmanuel (13-year-old) who designed a car race game. Second position went to Chinyere (15 years old) who designed an interactive storyline of her experience at the TeenHack workshop. The winner of the contest was Ebuka a 16-year-old boy that designed an interactive Educational Game with user input and scoreboard.


The winners were given sets of Google Cardboards, T-shirts, Books and Biro. They will be given a one-year free membership ticket to join the leading Technology Innovation Hub (RAD5 Tech Hub) in Abia State. It was so inspiring to have other kids who designed interactive Tennis games, movies, and storylines.

TeenHack2017 ended with the ICT teacher session with a round table discussion on the need to revolutionize the education sector using technology. Teachers demanded that they too are willing to be empowered and asked for TeenHack to be incorporated as a Tech and Innovation Club in their respective schools. The workshop recorded a turnout of 40 kids and 12 coaches/volunteers.

TeenHack has come to stay according to RAD5 Tech Hub Founders as a way to transforming the tech ecosystem in Abia State. They thanked the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba for their support in giving out their TEF Computer Laboratory for the TeenHack 2017 Edition.

We are not relying on Government or organizations to support TeenHack. We self-sponsored 40 kids in this year edition, providing them with writing materials, gift items, food/launch for 3 days. We are only calling for tech passionate individuals, corporate organizations and government agencies to invest in this campaign of transforming the tech ecosystem in Abia State through the TeenHack Initiative for kids and teens to leverage on current trends on technology for nation building and self-reliance the TeenHack Initiators stated.

TeenHack 2018 edition preparation has commence to help us achieve greater impact than 2017 edition.

Complete picture gallery for TeenHack2017 can be found here: https://goo.gl/photos/6tSdRaZ1DFLpuKk39

Akwa Peter U.
(Program Manager)
RAD5 Tech Hub

Abia4Tech TeenHack Summer Code Camp 2017

What will your kids be learning this summer? We wish you do not make the same mistake taking them to learn usual classroom subjects, spending time and money on activities that do not enhance their creativity.

RAD5 Tech Hub in collaboration with Google Developer Group (GDG) Aba through the Abia4Tech initiative announces the “2017 Abia4Tech TeenHack Summer Code Camp”.

Abia4Tech TeenHack is a 3 day summer code camp programme for kids in Abia State.

The event details are slated as follows:

Date: Wednesday 16 August, 2017 – Friday 18 August, 2017
Time: 9am Daily
Age Limit: 10 – 16 years old
Venue: ICT Center, Abia State Polytechnic Aba
Registration Link: https://goo.gl/kxngnT

In 3 days, kids will learn how to write computer codes, create scratch programming interactive stories and games, improve their logic & problem solving skills, experience Virtual Reality (VR) using Google cardboards, gain practical knowledge on computer hardware and learn team work.

We believe at six (6) kids can start being exposed to computing and technology. Do your kids love games, electronics, and computers? Do you desire your kids to learn the most valuable skill – Coding? Then they should be part of our Teen Code Camp this summer.

We have prepared a fun curriculum for our Code Camp coaches to lead your child to solving real life challenges using codes (programming).

The Abia4Tech TeenHack CodeCamp was crafted for the passion and love we have for kids, education and technology.

Our facilitators will also expose the kids on current trends in technology.

We will provide personalized instruction and hands-on learning. The kids will be merged in two’s to encourage team work and collaboration. They will be engaged on hackathon to build either an interactive story or game using scratch programming

Don’t be scared of the investment fee for your kids. RAD5 Tech Hub Ltd is sponsoring the payment of 60 kids to participate for free at the event. Your kid might be lucky to be selected if you RSVP as soon as possible using the registration link: https://goo.gl/kxngnT

We will be providing them with writing materials and light refreshments.

So as a parent, all you need to do is to sponsor your kid’s transportation to and fro the venue for the days involved.

We intend to incorporate the TeenHack as a mini-group in both government and private schools across Abia State in line with our mission of “Enhancing teaching and learning (education) through technology”. This is to enable us provide a medium of follow-ups for these kids.

On the third day, we will have the ICT and computer heads of different schools for the “Technology for Education” campaign.

We believe this summer code camp will be impactful and rich to equipping kids on the use Technology for National Development and Self Reliance.

For enquiries, sponsorship or partnership contact the summer code camp Coordinator or Programme Manager via +2347064464016 and +2348163378852 respectively.

Abia4Tech – The Right Time Is Now.

It takes a 21st century leader to understand that the universal growth a nation, state or city desires cannot be achieved without Technology.

Technology is not a silo that’s separate from the rest of the economy. Rather, technology is infused throughout the city’s diverse economy. In the view of infusing technology throughout Abia State diverse economy and ensuring universal growth, this has led to the formation of an initiative tagged Abia4Tech.

Abia4Tech is an initiative of RAD5 Technologies in collaboration with Google Developer Group (GDG) Aba to grow Abia Tech ecosystem and promote technological growth in Abia State with the aim of inspiring youths into the use of technology for Self-Reliance and National Development. The initiative is created to help Abians become Tech builders and not just Tech users only, strengthen all Abia Tech Startups, promote and support Tech innovations and ideas, provide mentorship for beginners and promote the use of Tech all across Abia State.

The vision is to build Abia and Abians to become Tech pioneers (builders) and Tech users.

The Mission is to consistently inspiring youths, Tech enthusiasts and Tech startups into the use of technology for Self-Reliance and National Development by organizing Tech conferences, startup meetups, hackathons and schools challenge that will make them become Tech pioneers.

The Abia4Tech objectives are clearly stated below:

  • To empower future generation with the coding tools and skills they need to strive in the 21st century workforce and become key actors of Abia’s and Africa’s economic development.
  • To encourage and support key actors of the tech scene dedicated to fostering e-skills and talents amongst Abia youths.
  • To build up strategic partnerships in other to organize coding workshops all round Abia State.
  • To inspire Abia students into Self-Reliance and National Development through the use of technology.
  • To promote and encourage the use of Google technologies in our community.
  • To support ICT tutors and teachers in their course of technology empowerment on students.

Hey! It sounds big, cool and challenging, right? There is no other better time to commence the transformation of the Abia Tech sector and build the desired Tech ecosystem than now.

On this note, we announce Friday, April 7, 2017 as the flag off day for the Abia4Tech initiative. In few days as we flag off this campaign, I am delighted to invite you to be part of the commencement of this Tech transformation in Abia State, believing it will be an awesome time and a gathering of Tech Startups, Tech Enthusiasts, Students, Tech Investors and Mentors from different parts of the nation. It will be a date to be saved as a memorial for celebration of the transformation of the Abia Tech ecosystem.

For the event details, see below:

Event: Abia4Tech Flag off Campaign.
Event Date: Friday, April 7, 2017.
Event Time: 11:30am prompt.
Event Venue: Sweet Foods & Bar Aba, Abia State.
Registration Link: https://goo.gl/forms/0rZY4DviGaJILA982

Expectations in Abia4Tech Flag Off Event

  • Codelabs on Android App Development and Web App Development (using Google Polymer)

               

  • Startup Demos – Exhibition of few Tech Products by Abians
  • Presentations on the topics “From Zero to Tech Hero” and “Collaboration Key to Success” by invited Tech speakers and motivators.
  • Tech Discussions – Where we share our challenges on starting, building and growing our Tech Startups in Abia.

Don’t miss the opportunity to becoming part of the Tech builders in Abia.

RAD5 TECHNOLOGIES INTERNSHIP & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

“Internships are a proven way to gain relevant knowledge, skill, and experience while establishing important connections in the field.”

We  the entire RAD5 team in collaboration with GDG Aba, officially announce to you of our three (3) months intensive internship program for individuals and students willing to gain knowledge in software development, coding processes, team building, brand marketing, tech event planing and organization etc.

Are you interested in doing an internship program with us?
Send in a cover note that contain reasons why we should select you for an internship between Monday 12th December, 2016 and Friday 16th December, 2016 via our official internship mail – internship@rad5.com.ng

Please note that sending in your cover note doesn’t guarantee your selection. To get selected for our internship and mentorship offer, you have to take a glance and consider the following:

  • Must believe in vision
  • Must have a good and working PC.
  • Must have passion for innovation and creativity.
  • Must be willing and available for hardcore coding.
  • Must be based in Aba

At RAD5 Technologies, we’re committed to developing individuals, students and professionals in Information Technology (IT) so that they can be equipped on gaining strong:

  1. Skills on Computer Programming & Software Development:
    Get trained and become a master on one technology. Getting exposed to different programming languages and better understanding of software development processes.
  2. Networks and Relationships:
    Take advantage of our network in Abia State, partnership with Google Developer Groups (GDGs) and relationship with tech professionals in the industry to help build your network.
  3. Self-Confidence & Motivation to Work:
     Providing you with fantastic learning experience to build your confidence with lots of inspiring mentor-ship guides to being motivated in doing insanely great works.
  4. Competitive Edge:
    A week spent with us keeps you ahead of your peers. Ranging from the knowledge acquired to the exposure on tech conferences. We equip you to standing as a better candidate in every I.T job you desire.
  5. Creative & Innovative Thinking:
    At RAD5 Technologies, creative & innovative thinking is a skill that every member of the team builds on daily. Start thinking and start innovating.

Selected individuals will be contacted via mail ONLY on or before Monday, 19th December 2016.

Congratulations in advance.

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THE QUEST FOR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN ABIA STATE

Technology is not the computer sets we see, smart phones we use nor the televisions we watch, they are all products of technology. True technology is the idea behind the products that we use, says Dr. Uwaje Chris at the Delta State Open Innovation Hackathon. He went further to say that Nigerian Youths are skilled and talented in technology, especially in information technology.

His speech above, of a truth have been the driving force to the quest of RAD5 technologies to promoting technology in Abia State.

We had five individuals who participated in the Delta State Open Innovation Hackathon held from December 1 – 3, 2016 at Asaba, Delta State, all sponsored by RAD5 Technologies, pictures below.

This action is to equip youths in Abia State towards gaining experiences and mentoring in software development. It is true that the trophy did not come home with the participants back to Abia State but I can assure you that the team that participated have acquired an experience that can never be bought with money. One of the participants boldly said “Now I can pitch my startup even to the Governor”.

Individuals might conclude that nothing techy can come out of Abia State, but I write to challenge that Abia State in no distant time will become a state of tech following recent activities being carried out in the state, which includes but not limited to Startup Weekend Abia, which saw 10 businesses raised and a Bootcamp all spear headed by Daniel Chinagozi.

The tech ecosystem is growing rapidly in Abia State and I can assure you that come 2017, we shall experience a rapid growth in technology with the presence of Google Developers Group (GDG) and the government’s willingness to support.

Your contributions are welcomed, kindly comment below. We will love to hear from you on suggestions in building a successful tech ecosystem in Abia State.

Expect more from RAD5 Technologies and GDG Aba. Join the crew by liking our Facebook Page –https://facebook.com/rad5.technologies and https://www.facebook.com/groups/755211034500638/ respectively.