'Make IT Happy' says Tom Brake MP

10.13.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 26th Jun 2009

MPs and e-skills UK have launched the third year of their UK-wide technology challenge for primary schools aged 9 to 11. The competition is initiated by the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee (PITCOM) and is organised by e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.

The theme for the 2009 competition is Make IT Happy! Judges will be looking for imaginative, technology-based initiatives which will have a positive impact upon the local community. Students should show how technology, ranging from video skits to radio shows, interactive website to downloadable podcasts, can be used creatively to make people smile.

The competition is also supported by the Institution for Engineering and Technology (EIT) and the British Computer Society (BCS) who are providing cash prizes for the winning schools. £1,200 will be awarded to each of the regional finalists with the overall winning school taking home up to £5,200. Winners will also be invited to attend an awards ceremony to be held at the Houses of Parliament in October.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton & Wallington, wants local primary schools to get involved:

"There are countless ways in which technology is improving the quality of our everyday lives. Online communities are allowing people to meet new friends in their town and across the world. Make IT Happy gives pupils a chance to come up with their own invention.

"I encourage all primary schools to get involved with 'Make IT Happy' this year. There are brilliant prizes to be won and pupils will thoroughly enjoy the chance to work together on such and exciting and relevant project. Entries should be as imaginative as possible in order to grab the attention of the judges. The competition is all about giving young people a chance to use their imagination, creativity and technology skills and show how IT can make a difference to the world around them."

The closing date for entries is 31st July, 2009.

For further information and details of how to enter, visit the website at makeithappy.cc4g.net