What Did You Do This Summer?
For 1200 students under the age of 18 the answer was to spend a week crammed into centres around
the country enjoying coding as part of the annual Young Rewired State Festival of Code.
Embed video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRzYSFKNqOs
Founded with just 50 students in 2009, YRS has grown to become the biggest annual hack event in
the country. It is now a global event, linking a worldwide community of digital makers aged 18 and
under. Through it young coders meet like-minded peers in local volunteer-led centres.
Working in teams or by themselves, with guidance from expert mentors, they solve real world
challenges by building apps, websites and algorithms using open data. You don’t need a deep
knowledge of coding – teams need designers and writers as well as coders – you just need an
enthusiasm for the digital world. At the end of the week they gather together in a weekend Festival
of Code to present the best projects to their peers, parents, mentors, press, industry and expert
judges. The friendships and contacts made are then enhanced during the following year by belonging
to the YRS network and taking part in hyperlocal events. If you want to know more then check out
http://www.yrs.io/ and their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/YoungRewired
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