PRIMARY school pupils in Ceredigion are being challenged to win £3,000 worth of IT equipment for their schools by designing a computer game.

Aimed at all primary school children between the ages of seven and 11 years old, the DVLA Code Challenge is inviting teams of up to five from schools and community-based code clubs to showcase their programming skills by designing a computer game from scratch.

Based around one of four different themes set by the event’s sponsors, the challenge will enable pupils to develop their problem solving, communication and teamwork skills as well as improving their knowledge of computer programming in a fun and innovative way.

Teams whose entries are shortlisted will then be invited to attend the DVLA Code Challenge 2017 prize day at DVLA’s digital theatre in Swansea on 28 November.

Lucy Owen (BBC News and X-Ray) will be hosting the event and the best entries will receive prizes of IT equipment up to the value of £3,000 for use in their school.

The DVLA’s head of cyber security testing and STEM Ambassador, Mark Jones, said: “If you introduce computer science early, in a fun and interactive way, it’ll pay dividends in the future.

“It’s important that as employers we actively support the development of IT skills in schools and communities, from grassroots early education upwards."

The closing date for entries is 6 October. Teams of up to five can register to take part in the competition and obtain more information on the competition and event, including all prize information and full terms and conditions, by visiting the competition website: dvlacodechallenge.dvla.gov.uk.

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