AWS re:Invent is a learning and development conference hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the global cloud computing community. Featuring keynote speakers, more than 2,800 technical sessions, workshops, and ‘chalk talks’, plus more than 1,000 other demos, start-up talks,
and networking sessions, it offers a total of more than 4,000 educational presentations – making it a key date in the calendar for anybody interested in cloud computing.
Among the attendees this year were Ibby, Millie, Amy, Charlie, and Zak, from Bishop’s Stortford College in Hertfordshire. Aged between 13 and 14, they won the trip after taking part in our AWS GetIT competition, which challenges year 8 pupils to create an app-based solution to a specific problem for their community or school.
Their winning idea is an app called ConnectHearo, which transcribes teachers’ lessons into accessible notes for students with hearing impairments. ConnectHearo is inspired by Ibby, who has personal experience of hearing impairment. We were blown away by their innovative thinking and the meaningful impact the app can have on people’s lives.
The students spent an inspiring few days at re:Invent, where they learned how to build a chat bot with Amazon Lex, met one of the world’s leading Formula One technical consultants and spent time speaking to people from NASA.
They also got the chance to be roving reporters, writing a blog for Computer Weekly on their experiences. You can read some of their highlights below. Their full report is available to read on Computer Weekly here.