11-year-old Shaun Samra from Finglas is named 2020 ESB TechSpacer of the Year

An 11-year-old from Finglas has taken the top award at this year’s ESB Creative Tech Fest, which took place virtually for the first time last Wednesday, October 28.

Aspiring rap artist Shaun Samra (pictured in the attached) was named ESB TechSpacer of the Year 2020 for his rap and video “Anxiety” – which told the personal story of the impact of Shaun’s’ struggles with anxiety for both himself and his family.

Shaun attended a TechSpace programme run by youth worker Mick McCullagh in Finglas Youth Resource Centre, with a focus on sound production and empowering young people to express themselves through music.

Over 1,000 young people, aged between 10 and 18, from youth clubs, schools and gaelscoileanna across Ireland, took part in the first-ever virtual ESB Creative Tech Fest, the annual bilingual event celebrates the innovation, creativity and collaboration of young people who participate in TechSpace programmes nationwide across STEAM, digital creativity and computer science projects.

TechSpace is a creative technology education programme that is managed by social enterprise Camara Ireland and delivered in the informal and formal education sectors.

It encourages young people to unlock their passions and potential through the creative use of technology.

The awards, hosted by TG4 presenter Micheál Ó Ciaraidh, were broadcast live from Carlow Arts Centre.

There were 17 winners honoured in categories across creative computer science, digital creativity and STEAM.

In addition to the awards, an innovative Virtual Reality exhibition showcased all the project work, and there was entertainment with performances from young Irish bands and inspiring TechTalks from TikTok stars Chris is Ainm Dom and Cairde.