Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is encouraging all primary schools in his
constituency to enter the Make IT Happy competition.
Now in its seventh year,
the UK wide technology challenge aims to help children use the internet safely
and creatively by asking them to create a digital poster that tells other
people how to safe on the web.
The competition is run by
the Parliamentary Internet Communications and Technology Forum (PICTFOR) and
e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.
It is backed by almost 100 MPs from across the UK.
Staying safe online is an
important skill even for primary age children, and the competition helps them
learn how to make the most of the internet without putting themselves at risk.
£1,200 will be awarded to
each of the regional competition finalists, with the overall winning school
taking home an additional cash prize of £4,000. Winners will also be invited to
attend an awards ceremony to be held at the Houses of Parliament in London in
June 2013.
Mr Metcalfe is keen for
local primary schools to get involved: “I encourage all of the local primary
schools to get involved with Make IT Happy this year.
The competition helps children gain invaluable internet safely skills,
and pass them on to other people. I’m confident that pupils will enjoy the
chance to work together on such an exciting and relevant project, as well as
having the opportunity to win cash prizes for their school.”
The closing date for
entries is April 6, 2013. For further information and details of how to enter,
visit the website at http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/.
