Schoolchildren are set to learn music and maths on Samsung tablets in the Royal Albert Hall.
Pupils from schools around the country will learn crossovers of music, maths and science at the historic London venue’s ‘digital classroom’, thanks to a deal with the phone manufacturer.
The tech giant has so far provided a 55" screen, Galaxy Cameras and Galaxy for children to do things like create and record music from scratch based on mathematical principles.
The Royal Albert Hall and Samsung said the initiative is aimed at closing the digital skills gap in the UK.
Caroline McNamara, senior education consultant at the hall, said: "The partnership helps us to provide the best educational experiences for young people across the UK."
Matthew Hancock, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, was present to open the digital classroom yesterday.
He said: "This kind of initiative helps bring education and employment closer together – if children learn how to code, create computer programmes and understand how a computer works, they then have the opportunity to apply these skills in future careers."
Despite yesterday’s launch, the first workshop is not set to start until May 1, but eight are scheduled for the first fortnight, with a total of 25 currently pencilled in.
The science workshop will aim to teach children to examine scientific principles to help create a piece of music, and the hardware will also be used to enhance current education programmes ran by the hall, including its Victorian tours, which now feature a green screen to show how the 143-year-old hall first looked.
Andy Griffiths, Samsung’s UK & Ireland president, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Royal Albert Hall on this project, which will offer innovative and fun programmes for schools."
To book a workshop for a school class, people can apply by emailing education@royalalberthall.com.
