As part of a Harrow College project, students have spent eight weeks creating an exciting and meaningful #HarrowEXPO event. The project aims to enable students to showcase their curriculum area and provide a clear sense of purpose and direction in all aspects of their study and future choice of career.
Hosted by students Leila Garrab, Emmanuel Verinca and Romikumar Prakashbabu Patel, the EXPO topic was selected to raise awareness of knife crime through IT to an audience of over 100 fellow students and parents.
External organisations were also in attendance at the event including The Ben Kinsella Trust, Street Doctors and Digital Works Consulting.
Students provided an educational and informative event through a series of talks, videos, musical performances and presentations of websites that had been designed by students as part of the project.
Lawrence De'Ath, Senior Partner for Product and Technology at Digital Works Consulting said: "Harrow College made a bold choice for a project topic and this really engaged the students. The web design competition was excellent and students showed great promise for progress in their studies. The winner made good choices for the topic and the audience - a bold design with social connections. The demand for skills in this area is huge, the students have some great opportunities ahead of them."
Student particpation in the event was high including performances by Harrow College students, singer Bobby Milenovski and pianist Emmanuel Verinca.
Career Colleges student and pianist Emmanuel Verinca said: "This was my first time playing piano in front of students at the College but they were really supportive. This project has helped me to feel more educated about knife crime and it was good to feel that we informed students whilst developing our IT skills."
Fellow student Romikumar Prakashbabu Patel added: "It was a good experience to be involved in the #HarrowEXPO event and to have a chance to show our work to parents and visitors. We displayed the websites that we've been working on to inform our peers about knife crime. I'm thankful to have had this opportunity to learn more about such an important topic that is relevant to young people."
Following the event, first aid training was provided for students in haemorrhage control and unconsciousness by Street Doctors.
Alistair of Street Doctors' North London team said: "Working with the young people from Harrow College was an inspiration. They were very engaged and motivated throughout all of the sessions. The Pro Anti-Shank Event that we attended showcases the young people's awareness to knife crime and their commitment to breaking the cycle of violence. It was great fun to visit Harrow College and teach the young people who made us feel welcome - we can't thank them enough."
Further photos of the IT EXPO can be viewed here.
The #HarrowEXPO will continue across other curriculum areas with further updates to follow.
The OCR Level 2 IT course is now accepting applications for September 2016. Apply today.