Our Pi-making challenge to change the world through programming

Registration to this competition is now closed

PA Consulting Group and the Raspberry Pi Foundation teamed up to challenge schoolchildren, students and computer programmers to invent something using a Raspberry Pi - a credit card sized computer - to make the world a better place.

All entrants need is a Raspberry Pi and the drive to use (or learn how to use) basic computer programming to make an incredible difference to people’s lives.

Here are four examples of the kinds of things that entrants might focus on:

• helping others reduce their impact on the environment

• reimagining how people receive healthcare in the community

• making it easier for people to work with ‘big data’

• protecting IT systems from malware and malicious hackers.
  

The competition is open to five categories:

1. Primary school Years 4 - 6: ages eight - 11

Entries in this category should be driven by teachers and/or interested parents. Alternatively, cubs or similar activity clubs can join. Teams should comprise up to six entrants and at least one adult mentor.

Please click here to read the competition rules for schools and colleges.

2. Secondary school Years 7 - 11: ages 12 - 16

Entries in this category can be driven by teachers, interested parents, scout leaders and young enthusiasts. Teams can comprise up to six entrants and at least one adult mentor.

Please click here to read the competition rules for schools and colleges.

3. Secondary school Years 12 - 13: ages 16 - 18

Entries in this category can be submitted either by teams of children or by adults organising activities at schools and after-school clubs. Teams can comprise up to six entrants and should include at least one member over 18.
Please click here to read the competition rules for schools and colleges.

4. Higher education – undergraduates

Entries should be submitted by individual teams, not by universities or colleges. Teams can comprise up to two entrants. 

Please click here to read the competition rules for undergraduates.

5. Open category – open to all programmers and those who want to learn

Entries should be submitted by individual teams. Teams can comprise up to two entrants.

Please click here to read the competition rules for the open category.

All entrants must be based in the UK for the duration of the competition.

How to enter

The deadline for registration was 30 November 2012.

The deadline for finished entries is 31 January 2013.

The first 200 teams applying for categories 1,2,3 and 4 will receive a free Raspberry Pi

The prizes

• Categories 1 - 3
  Winners in the first three categories receive £1,000 per team.
  

• Category 4
  One team-member from the winning team in category four will receive a salaried internship at PA (subject to interview) or a cash prize.
  

• Category 5
  Winners in the open category will receive £1,000 per team.
  

• All winners 
  All winners will receive a guided tour of our world-leading technology centre in Cambridge, where we develop inspiring and award-winning products, automation and manufacturing processes (click here to find out more).  All winnners will also get a custom-made Raspberry Pi case lovingly engineered by our technology team.
  

About technology and innovation at PA

Our work in technology and innovation represents a unique combination of industry expertise and exceptional engineering capability. At our dedicated Technology Centre in Cambridge, UK, we create lasting impact for clients through consumer-led innovation, cost optimisation and business model implementation. Over the last 50 years we have been responsible for the development of many ground-breaking products whose influence is still felt today – from award-winning micrometers to the original brushless servomotor, from 4G wireless test equipment to the world’s first pre-filled disposable auto-injector.
Browse 50 years of PA technology and innovation

PA Consulting Group has a clear track record of helping companies deliver innovative, smart solutions built on modern technologies such as cloud, mobile or big data to support today’s fast moving business environment, cost-effectively. We have worked with a range of organisations including, the Met Office, the NHS, JC Decaux, Benevia, Balfour Beatty, an international pharmaceutical company and a leading consumer goods company.

Career opportunities at PA

Our 2013 Graduate Programme is now open for applications and we are always looking to hire bright thinkers at all levels in our firm. For more information and to explore the range of opportunities we have available please click here.

To find out how to order a Raspberry Pi computer, please see instructions on the Raspberry Pi website.