GOLDEN SPIDER FOR YOUNG MALLOW CODER
MALLOW STUDENT SCOOPS FOUR AWARDS IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
A YOUNG computer genius from Mallow has scooped top prize in a national competition aimed at finding the next generation of Irish online experts.
Kieran Horgan (14) a second-year-pupil at Davis College and a mentor with Mallow CoderDojo based at the CDYS ‘Big Blue Cube’ in Mallow, scooped the prestigious Grand Prix Award at the 2013 Eircom Junior Spider awards.
He also became the single most successful entrant in this year’s competition, winning three other categories for Best Individual Project, Best Web Design and Creative Web Coding.
By any standards this was an amazing achievement given the fact that he only joined the Mallow branch of CoderDojo, a global network of clubs that teaches young people about programming and computer technology, two-years ago.
Kieran told The Corkman that his father helped instil a keen interest in computers from a young age.
“I have always enjoyed messing around with computers and joined CoderDojo when I was 12. To be honest I picked up the whole concept of programming very easily,” he said.
“I find it amazing to be able to create my own programmes and then see them working on the screen. That is something I will never get tired of. Winning these awards was an amazing thrill for me” he added.
Having quickly mastered the art, Kieran felt he could help others and took on a mentoring role at Mallow CoderDojo.
“I really enjoy passing on the knowledge I have gained to other people and sharing their enthusiasm. CoderDojo is a great way of leaning about computers because it is run by volunteers and is free to everyone, which makes it accessible for everyone,” said Kieran.
“I hope that the experience I have gained here will help me pursue a career in computers science when I leave school.”