Tag: IT

Year 9 Girls Shaping the Digital Future at the BBC

On 23 April 2026, the BBC celebrated International Girls in ICT Day, joining young people around the world to explore how technology can make a positive difference. This year’s theme was “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”, all about showing girls how they can use technology to change the world.

The day was organised by the BBC WiSTEM (Women in STEM) team, working with BBC STEM, and welcomed schoolgirls to BBC sites in Cardiff, London, Salford, Birmingham, and Glasgow

The day was packed with exciting, hands-on activities designed to show how fun, creative, and powerful technology can be, starting with a tour of the BBC Central Square.

Our learners took part in interactive AI workshops led by experts from BBC Research & Development. Using easy-to-understand tools like Sofie, they learned how artificial intelligence works—and how it can help people, not just computers! They also took part in a workshop activity that involved them helping to make an Eleven Labs AI Agent, then using Notebook LN to create an interactive podcast.

They also had the chance to step into the world of TV and radio; observing a live radio show recording like BBC Wales Cymru, crafting and uploading filmed footage from the day, and learning how technology supports storytelling behind the scenes using SOFIE inhouse software.

In special “Meet the Tech Heroes” sessions, learners met women working in technology at the BBC, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They shared what their jobs are really like and how they got into careers such as software engineering, data science, and media and broadcast technology.

International Girls in ICT Day is led by the ITU and celebrated all over the world. In 2026, there was even a live international link between Albania and Brazil, which students could join online. One of the key messages of the day was clear: girls are not just technology users – they are future creators, designers, and leaders.

Learners hold their certificates of attendance from the day.

By focusing on AI for development, the event encouraged girls to think about how technology can be used fairly, safely, and creatively to help communities and solve real-world problems. The day gave our learners the confidence to imagine themselves as the future of technology—and the future of change.

CyberFirst Girls Final 2026

The Debug Divas team proudly represented Pencoed Comprehensive School at the CyberFirst Girls Competition Final of Finals 2026, held at the ICC in Newport. Competing against 19 of the top schools, Amy, Gwen, Olivia-Rose and Faith, alongside Ms Densley-Adams, arrived dressed to impress and ready to take on the challenge.

From the outset, the competition tested a wide range of cyber security skills. The team tackled complex decryption challenges, used CyberChef to analyse and transform data, cracked ciphers, and worked strategically to uncover hidden flags. Their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills were evident throughout.

By the halfway point, the Debug Divas had worked their way up the leaderboard into an impressive third place, showing their determination and capability among the very best teams.

During the competition, the team faced an unexpected setback when the WiFi went down and technical issues. Despite this, they remained calm, composed, and focused, handling the disruption with maturity and resilience. Once systems were restored, they quickly got back on track and continued to perform strongly right through to the final moments of the competition.

Their determination, dedication, and positive attitude were clear throughout the day.

Following the challenges, the atmosphere shifted as the teams prepared for the Women in Cyber Gala. This provided a fantastic opportunity to celebrate achievements at both school level and at the national “champions of champions” event. Dressed for the occasion, the Debug Divas enjoyed networking with a wide range of inspiring and talented women working across the cyber and technology industries. These conversations highlighted the many exciting opportunities available and helped inspire the next generation of women in cyber.

The evening included a three-course meal and the announcement of the competition winners. While the Debug Divas did not take the top prize this time, their performance, resilience, and teamwork were outstanding. Competing at this level and reaching such a strong position is a significant achievement that should be celebrated.

The team represented their school with pride, professionalism, and determination , and their journey is only just beginning.

Well done to Ms Densley-Adams and the Debug Divas!!