Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Coolest Projects returns to Manchester

Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Coolest Projects UK returns to The Sharp Project to celebrate young tech creators in Manchester

• Coolest Projects UK 2020 takes place in The Sharp Project on Saturday 4 April, run by the Raspberry Pi Foundation
• Young tech creators aged 7–18 share their projects as part of the world’s leading technology showcase
• Visitors will meet some of the UK’s most imaginative young tech creators and discover what they have invented
• Attendance and participation is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring their whole family for a day of fun tech exhibits and activities

Saturday 4 April will see the return of Coolest Projects UK to Manchester’s The Sharp Project. This free event is the world-leading showcase for young tech creators, and it’s a fantastic day out for families that love playing and learning with technology.

The venue for Coolest Projects UK is The Sharp Project, a cornerstone of Manchester’s digital sector and an amazing space that will be filled with 100 unique creations made by young people who love tech.

At Coolest Projects UK last year, a team of five (Jack, Elsa, Bethan, Tara, and Lily, all aged between 11 and 12 at the time) had made the journey all the way from Fife in Scotland to showcase their app called MAD About Litter. They were inspired by their concerns about the environment and by beach cleanups they had attended, so they built a smartphone app to help tackle littering in their local area.

Freddie from Monmouthshire, 13 at the time of Coolest Projects UK 2019, spent more than twelve months building a door security system for the elderly, because he wanted to help his great-aunt feel more secure at home. He used facial recognition technology to create his invention, which keeps the front door locked until it recognises the face of an arriving family member and allows them to unlock the door.

Coolest Projects UK is the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s celebration of young tech creators — it’s important to give them a space to shine, and for more people to discover their wonderful, world-changing ideas. Foundation CEO Philip Colligan says: “For me, Coolest Projects is absolutely one of the highlights of the year. It’s a great opportunity for young people to showcase their projects and meet other young digital makers. I always come away feeling inspired and optimistic about the future.”

While some Coolest Projects participants find their inspiration in real-world problems, other young people become creative combining their love of tech with other favourite things. A particularly memorable participant in last year’s event recreated the iconic stage prop of his favourite musician: the LED-lit face mask of EDM producer Marshmello!

Young people can register their tech projects up until Sunday 15 March! Families can drop by at any time on 4 April to explore the fantastic creations of young innovators from across the UK, and to try out fun, educational tech activities for all ages.