ESB Creative Tech Fest celebrates youth creativity, innovation and leadership through technology with virtual reality exhibition

An 11-year-old from Finglas, Co Dublin has taken the top award at this year’s ESB Creative Tech Fest, which took place virtually for the first time on Wednesday, October 28th. Aspiring rap artist Shaun Samra was named ESB TechSpacer of the Year 2020 for his rap and video “Anxiety” – which told the personal story of the impact of Shaun’s’ struggles with anxiety for both himself and his family.

Shaun attended a TechSpace programme run by youth worker Mick McCullagh in Finglas Youth Resource Centre, with a focus on sound production and empowering young people to express themselves through music.

As well as awards for young people, teacher Helen Ní Chríodáin from Colaiste Naomh Eoin in Inis Meáin was named ESB TechSpace Educator of the Year for her work in establishing a TechSpace programme, delivered through Irish, on the Aran Islands.

The awards, hosted by TG4 presenter Micheál Ó Ciaraidh, honoured 17 winners in categories covering creative computer science, digital creativity and STEAM, in addition to a virtual reality exhibition showcasing each project, as young people from TechSpace hubs were sent VR headsets to their homes around the country to enjoy the celebrations.

There were also performances and inspiring TechTalks from Daithí Ó Sé and TikTok stars Chris is Ainm Dom and Cairde.

Pat O’ Doherty, Chief Executive at ESB, outlined his admiration for the young people involved in this year’s ESB Creative Tech Fest awards:

“It is both reassuring and inspiring to see the innovation and creativity in the projects submitted for this year’s awards, and we congratulate each of the nominees and winners for their work. Every young person in the TechSpace programme should be hugely proud of what they have achieved, in such challenging circumstances, this year.”

Marianne Checkley, CEO of Camara Ireland said ensuring the awards went ahead virtually was a key priority: “There has been some hugely inspiring projects despite the really difficult circumstances this year and, despite us not being able to be together in person, we wanted to bring the network together virtually, to celebrate the quite incredible achievements of educators and young people this year.”

Over 1,000 young people, aged between 10 and 18, from youth clubs, schools and gaelscoileanna across Ireland, were part of the first-ever virtual ESB Creative Tech Fest, the annual bilingual event celebrates the innovation, creativity and collaboration of young people who participate in TechSpace programmes nationwide across STEAM, digital creativity and computer science projects.

TechSpace is a creative technology education programme that is managed by social enterprise Camara Ireland and delivered in the informal and formal education sectors. It encourages young people to unlock their passions and potential through the creative use of technology.