Project Description
DYW Fife aims to promote programmes and projects that produce beneficial outcomes such as enhanced employability through skills development for young people and school leavers and businesses can tap into a wider range of recruitment resources through partnership projects with schools and colleges.
One such example has been the “In the Footsteps of Kings” project, which was lead through Fife Council’s, Culture of Enterprise initiative, incorporating S5 and S6 pupils into a digital skills project that provided real benefit to the region of Fife and its tourism economy.
In the Footsteps of Kings is an augmented reality game that is aimed at children from 3-13 that can be played across several historic sites in Fife to encourage education about the region and its historical royal connections. The award-winning app aims to bring history to life to visitors across the region whilst encouraging visitors to the area.
App developers, Mardles, and Fife Tourism Partnership introduced the project to pupils at Madras College. S5 and 6 pupils were asked to develop a new concept for a historic location in St Andrews that could be incorporated within the game.
The project enabled 8 pupils to be involved from the concept development stage through to the launch phase. The skills that the pupils developed through this project were research, project management, general business administration, communication and digital skills which gave them the opportunity to gain an SCQF level 6 diploma for the PC Passport course.
The project also enabled the pupils to gain experience of managing a project with various stakeholders and suppliers as well as equipping the team with general skills that will enhance their employability chances as they take the next steps out of education.
Other schools in the region such as Balwearie High School and St Columbus High School were involved in the commercialisation project to develop a marketing strategy and promotional merchandise to encourage download level. Collaboration between Fife Council’s Culture of Enterprise and Employability teams together with Fife College allowed these pupils the opportunity to attain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills, as well as gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a commercialisation environment.
The new location for “In the Footsteps of Kings” is only a few days away from the launch date and the results of the project have been incredible. With the attractive location of St Andrew’s now being added to the app, this will certainly boost usage and encourage families with children of the age group to visit the other locations available, boosting tourist to the region.
The CEO of Mardles, James Murden, was also involved throughout the project process which has given the company useful insight on how to engage with young people which will hopefully prove useful throughout future recruitment processes for the company.
All pupils were asked to complete a reflective statement at the end of the project which all reported positive outcomes and 7 out of the 8 pupils at Madras College attained the SCQF level 6 qualification. In addition to this 11 out of 16 students from the commercialisation project achieved their Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills also at SCQF Level 6. These qualifications are not only beneficial to the pupil’s future but also recognised by industry. Building a positive pipeline of talent for our local businesses.
For further information on In the Footsteps of Kings, please visit https://www.welcometofife.com/highlight/new-augmented-reality-app
To contact DYW Fife, please get in touch on DYW.Fife@fife.gov.uk