Bright youngsters conquering code
Coding and computing have become the norm at a Porirua school with bright-eyed pupils getting set to make their digital mark on a Wellington festival.
Corinna School is one of five primary schools across the region taking part in the LUX Kids Project - a pilot programme, aimed at getting children to use technology in new, creative ways.
Media arts educator Jess Weichler has spearheaded the programme which will see the children’s creations eventually feature in the LUX Light Festival later this year.
‘‘We only have two main rules for this project - make mistakes, and measure twice, cut once,’’ she said.
Over the next six weeks, the young participants will build a miniature city installation made from recycled materials, while learning about electronics, light elements and problem-solving along the way.
Weichler would guide them through the entire design process, from remoulding milk bottles to learning how to code LED lighting configurations.
‘‘With a varied toolbox in their arsenal, the students are articulating their sense of creativity using everything from wire cutters, to LED lighting strips,’’ she said.
‘‘Gone are the days where technical maths skills and artistic projects are taught separately.’’
The youngsters have been drawing inspiration from the noise and energy typically associated with bustling urban environments and will also incorporate a selection of Porirua landmarks into their design.
The annual LUX light festival is a celebration of light, art, technology and design, which will transform Wellington’s waterfront, laneways and public spaces into five themed precincts that offer unique, immersive experiences to festival goers.
Corinna School has been assigned the urban-themed precinct which will showcase cutting edge light and sound artists, live glowing street art, and a promenade of window art.
Four other schools across the Tawa, Kapiti and Hutt regions are also involved in the brand-new project, each working on a different precinct theme which Weichler said had inspired plenty of creativity.
‘‘Nothing beats seeing a child’s face light up with a new idea,’’ she said.
At the end of the six-week programme, the final pieces from each school will be installed at yet-to-bedetermined locations during the LUX Festival which runs from May 12-21.