On 20th July 2022 (only one day after the hottest day on record in the UK and with most travel throughout the country suspended), we were delighted to welcome almost a hundred guests from around the world to the launch event of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre.
The event started with a range of displays that showcased the most recent projects of our Research Centre and the work of our collaborators, Isaac CS and ALTA. Between the very popular jugs of lemony water and the light canapés, our researchers and team members welcomed old friends and also many new faces to the Department of Computer Science and Technology. In between reading our research posters and talking to our researchers, guests added their thoughts and ideas to our activity pinboards. We were delighted to read the many comments and suggestions! As one participant put it:
“Computers and education, what’s not to get excited about?”
At 4pm, we moved into the delightfully climatised lecture hall to hear talks about the background, mission, and future of the Research Centre. Professor Alastair Beresford of the University of Cambridge talked about the history of Computing Education at universities and recounted his personal learning journey and the development of Isaac Computer Science, which has been developed in close collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Dr Sue Sentance, the Director of the Research Centre, then introduced the centre, its team members and vision. Lastly, Professor Mark Guzdial from the University of Michigan stressed the importance of designated centres for the development of Computing Education and lauded the establishment of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre at such a pivotal time.
With prosecco and sparkling elderflower pressé, Mark and Sue then unveiled the official Research Centre plaque that will be placed at the new Research Centre office in the Department of Computer Science and Technology of the University of Cambridge.
Thank you to all of our guests who navigated the stressful public transport and weather conditions to join us for the event. We will share more pictures soon and also upload the recordings of the talks for everyone who was not able to attend.