On the 11th of March 2015, with support from Google and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, 150 students selected from 5 public secondary schools across Lagos state will have the opportunity to join the Geeks Club. Through the Geeks Club students are introduced to software and hardware programming, thereby creating a new generation of technology users and makers. The curriculum is built around the Raspberry Pi, notable for its versatility and relative affordability, which also provides an exciting, interactive way for kids to learn. Running during the regular academic terms, students are introduced to software and hardware programming using Scratch, HTML/CSS and Python. Geeks Club doesn’t just provide students with technical skills, but also lays emphasis on developing their soft skills, skills such as as team-work and collaboration, communication, presentation and project management. Through the well crafted curriculum and curated projects, students are also able to enhance their critical reasoning abilities. At the end of the programme students come away well-rounded. In addition, students who have an interest in pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related careers have an additional advantage from the head-start provided by Geeks Club. On a much larger scale, Geeks Club provides an opportunity to further bridge the digital divide by providing the skills and technology critical for raising the right innovators, capable of contributing to the development of their society, by creatively expressing themselves. Through our partnership with Google and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Geeks Club is available for free, to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, thereby reducing the effects of the economic gap and providing these students with a more equal footing in life.
