The 2016 winners of the Eir-backed Junior Spider Awards – dedicated to lauding young internet enthusiasts – have been announced, with a few recognisable faces making the grade.
Croke Park hosted this year’s Junior Spiders yesterday (25 April), with anyone aged four to 19 from all over the country free to compete for prizes. The main winners on a day of accolades were Cool STEAM Kids (four-to-12 age category), Gaeilge Iontach (13-15) and a project by VT Networks (16-19).
Launched at last year’s Inspirefest by former EU Digital Girl of the Year Lauren Boyle, Cool STEAM Kids is a STEM promotional tool for kids. The website and app uses games, kits, books, links, videos and experiments to promote STEM subjects to schoolkids.
Thrilled to win Creative Coding & Grand Prix awards for @coolsteamkids Thank you @Juniorspiders #eirJuniorSpiders pic.twitter.com/DqXGoY20VL
— Lauren Boyle (@laurenboyletech) April 25, 2016
Gaeilge Iontach took home three prizes, with the Grand Prix complemented by Best Concept and Suiomh is Fearr awards.
Created by Laura Cosgrave, Gaeilge Iontach is a learning resource for the Irish language, aimed at children in first to fourth class. Featuring games, images, audio and text, Cosgrave’s project is available to use at home and in school.
The older category saw a web design for IoT start-up VT Networks topping the bill. It was custom designed and built from scratch using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Tera Spiders Grand Prix winner – VT Networks! Congratulations!#eirjuniorspiders pic.twitter.com/A2suz2oOIo
— eir Junior spiders (@Juniorspiders) April 25, 2016
Interestingly-named projects like ‘Don’t pass the raspberry jam’, Dottie Duck and 1916 Mario joined Youth Tech, Teen DIY, AJ’s Garden and Artists and Articles in picking up separate awards.
Other winners included Codeway, Donabate Community College and the Digital Youth Council.
“Having seen firsthand the talent and sheer brilliance of some of the entries, I can honestly say you have very bright futures ahead of you,” said Eir’s John Anslow.
