Oracle and Raspberry Pi Foundation launch kids learning project

Oracle and Raspberry Pi Foundation are collaborating on a project aimed at training children how to code and learn about their world at the same time.

The Oracle Academy Raspberry Pi Weather Station initiative for Schools encourages schools to teach programming skills by inviting them to apply for a weather station hardware kit for children to build and develop.

Students can choose how to build their application using SQL elements developed in collaboration with Oracle and data will be hosted on the company's cloud.

Oracle Giving, the firm's philanthropic arm, has funded the first 1,000 kits, meaning schools can get their hands on the kits for free while stock last.

In addition to the crafting skills the schoolchildren will need to build the weather station, it will also teach them how to write code to track wind speed, direction, temperature, pressure, and humidity.

The scheme, which is targeted at children aged between 11 and 16, will also encourage students to build a website to display local weather conditions. Kids can connect with other children participating in the scheme via a specially built website that will also provide technical support.

Jane Richardson, director of Oracle Academy EMEA, said: "From application programming to database management, computer science skills can lead to rewarding and fulfilling careers.

"Our goal with the Oracle Raspberry Pi Weather Station project is not only to show students how computer science can help them measure, interrogate and understand the world better, but also to give them hands-on opportunities to develop these skills. We believe this is one of the best ways to inspire the next generation to take up the computer science roles that economies around the world need filled."

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.