Google Donation

The Google donation of £25,000 has enabled Generating Genius to select 50 London school children from underprivileged backgrounds to enrol in an exclusive programme and develop the technology skills needed to apply for the very best computer science degrees.

The grant will also allow Generating Genius to extend its programme to girls for the first time. The summer programme, designed in collaboration with Google, for 25 girls and 25 boys aged between 11 and 16, will run at Queen Mary, University of London. As well as the summer programme, weekend workshops designed for schoolchildren will run between September and December 2011.

Together Google and Generating Genius will lead exciting projects that pupils would not normally have the opportunity to take part in at school. Pupils will have access to the facilities and equipment needed to learn how to create mobile phone apps, programme robots, and create ‘maps mash-ups’, adding enhanced features such as youth clubs and skate parks to standard street maps.

Google’s donation is part of its commitment to show young school pupils the power of computer science. As well as providing equipment and course content, engineers from within Google will be on-hand to mentor children involved in the programme. The aim of the partnership is to provide the key computer and technology skills needed to succeed in education in the 21st century and go on to university.

Dr Tony Sewell, Managing Director of Generating Genius said:
“We’re thrilled to open our programme to girls for the first time thanks to Google’s grant. We want to reach those who are gifted but who don’t have the opportunity to nurture their talent and shine. By working with Google, we have designed a special programme that will challenge pupils to be creative and design new products – we hope such a stimulating course will encourage them to apply for the best computer science courses and pursue careers in technology.”

Alison Daniel-Cutler, Head of Google Pre-University Education Outreach – EMEA said:
“At Google, we know how important it is to get schoolchildren engaged in computer science from an early age, to enable them to become creators, not just consumers of technology. Opportunities for talented computer scientists will continue to grow and programmes like Generating Genius can have an immense impact on the trajectory of those school children who take part. We hope to see such programmes continue to develop”

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