Scotiabank offers virtual reality to students at ICT hackathon
STUDENTS WITH a penchant for thrilling rides treated themselves to a range of virtualreality experiences while visiting the Scotiabank booth at the recently held Girls in ICT Day Hackathon. From the sedate Blue Whale interaction, to the more exhilarating Ultimate Booster experience, girls lined up for a chance to take the virtual rides.
While they waited, they were entertained as they observed the extreme reactions of those using the virtual reality headset, clutching the side of their seats as they rode the roller coaster, screaming as they tried to get off the Ultimate Booster, or run away from the enormous Blue Whale.
“Our objective was to engage the girls in a technological activity that was fun, but that also demonstrated how the incorporation of ICT can enhance life at many levels. This kind of exposure to technology is exciting and can open many doors for the employment of girls in the future”, said Yanique Forbes Patrick, vice-president of marketing at Scotiabank.
The girls in ICT Hackathon had students from more than 20 institutions from across the island gathering at Mona Visitors’ Lodge to share their ideas through coding. Tasked to create solutions for social issues, the girls came up with a plethora of websites, games, apps and animations.
Some of the solutions shared were TaxiPals a concept app proposed by Wolmer’s encouraging girls to keep safe by alerting a friend if her arrival by taxi is delayed; and an educational website that includes a QR code to connect girls to the Women’s Centre in times of crisis developed, by American International School Kingston.
The Girls in ICT Day Hackathon event was organised by SheLeadsIT Consulting, and Changemakers Development, and sponsored regionally by Scotiabank in countries across the Caribbean, including Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica.
‘This kind of exposure to technology is exciting and can open many doors for the employment of girls in the future.’