Day: October 2, 2019

The Big Data Show: young people learn cybersecurity through interactive drama

A ground-breaking interactive show for young people which uses real-life gaming to explore cyber security.

www.civicdigits.com

 

The Big Data Show (TBDS) is a ground-breaking immersive experience for young people (S1) weaving theatre and gaming together to explore cyber security and data citizenship.

It is about cyber resilience and being a citizen in the digital age. It is about knowing who knows what about you, what you are ‘agreeing’ to when you download an app, how to live with the challenges of social media…and it’s a lot of fun.

It is also a drama about the first prosecuted cyber hack in the UK. Co-written by internationally acclaimed playwright Clare Duffy and Rupert Goodwins, one of the young hackers involved in gaining access to Prince Philip’s BT email in the 1980s, and now a technology journalist.

Kate Forbes MSP, Minister for Public Health and Digital Economy, Scottish Government said: “The Big Data Show supports the Scottish Government’s ambitions to raise the public’s awareness of cyber threat.

“Not only does it help ensure young people are clued up about the risks associated with sharing data online but it also gives them the valuable chance to learn about careers in cyber security.”

“The Big Data Show plugs very acutely and vividly right into the Scottish Government’s ambitions to raise the public’s awareness of cyber threat.”

– Daniel Sellers, Cyber Resilience Scottish Government.

The Big Data Show will open at Perth Theatre in June 2020 and move to the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh – with plans to then tour the North of England.

The performances in June and July, which are solely for schools, are supported by advance workshops in the spring and followed up with workshops in the autumn. Booking for the whole project opens in September 2019.

The Big Data Show uses live performance, bespoke mobile gaming and digital tricks delivered to audience members’ handsets, inspiring greater understanding and engagement with our future as ‘digital citizens’ in the 21st century.

The gaming technology involved has been developed and produced by Dundee-based studio Orthrus.

Having already developed and rigorously tested the control system and digital assets with a prototype version of the project and evaluated the learnings, Civic Digits Theatre Company is ready to bring the full version to schools across the UK in 2020.

“The whole premise of using a phone to talk about online security was brilliant. The pupils were hooked.” – Sarah Macdonald, Drama Teacher, Community School of Auchterarder (Phase 2 feedback)

Outcomes of The Big Data Show and its workshops include: 

  • S1 pupils have a greater understanding of the social, cultural and political implications of our relationship with data and digital technology, particularly including cyber bullying and questions about privacy.
  • S1 pupils have a greater understanding of the potential of data and digital technology as opportunities for creativity;
  • S1 pupils feel excited about theatre as a 21st Century storytelling medium.
  • S1 pupils are inspired to think about careers in data and cyber security.

Pupils “became much more aware of the amount of data gathering going on in the background without them giving explicit permission and this was a shock to them.” Mrs Hollas, Drama Teacher, Perth Academy.

The Big Data Show has been shown to improve participants’ data literacy via quantitative evaluation carried out by Dr Alasdair Rutherford at Stirling University.

All participating schools will also receive CPD (continuing professional development) sessions and access to a teachers’ pack to support the cross-curricular learning promoted by this project.

“The Big Data Show took young people through a powerful process of experiential learning. The ‘shock factor’ created by the show encouraged young people to critically reflect on the data they are sharing with tech companies and the potential personal consequences.” Liz Green, YouthLink Scotland

“It is a really important topic, that’s not being explored enough in ways that pupils are willing to listen, the whole premise of it, using their own phones, they were hooked. I liked the fact that you used tech to talk about tech, very collaborative and all the surprises!”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the whole project taking off. It’s going to be fab. I’m really passionate about this.”  Drama Teacher, Perth and Kinross

The Big Data Show by Clare Duffy and Rupert Goodwins is produced by Suzy Glass for Civic Digits, with co-producers Perth Theatre at Horsecross Arts and Unlimited Theatre.

It is funded by Creative Scotland, Scottish Government and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Trapped and Terrified: Over 1 million stroke survivors’ recoveries under threat

More than one million stroke survivors live in fear of having another stroke and are scared to go out alone, leaving them afraid for their recovery in the aftermath of their stroke, according to a leading national charity.

The Stroke Association’s startling new findings show how people’s recoveries are under threat from fear itself. Continue reading Trapped and Terrified: Over 1 million stroke survivors’ recoveries under threat

Mercat Tours issue public appeal to help save Scotland’s Halloween traditions

Taking on the role of Scotland’s chief guisers (or galoshans), Edinburgh’s award-winning storytellers at Mercat Tours are launching a public appeal and programme of events to save some of Scotland’s great Halloween traditions. Continue reading Mercat Tours issue public appeal to help save Scotland’s Halloween traditions

Animal Welfare Bill published

New legislation to strengthen animal cruelty penalties and improve powers for front-line enforcement agencies has been published.

The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill will increase the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences to five years imprisonment and increase the maximum penalties for various other offences.

The Bill will implement ‘Finn’s Law’ giving extra protection to service animals, and provide a process to allow animals that have been taken into possession on welfare grounds to be sold or rehomed quickly without the need for a court order.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon (above) said: “We want to continue to have the highest standards of welfare for our animals and to have the most robust and proportionate penalties available.

“Through increasing the maximum penalties available for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences, we are ensuring that those who carry out these heinous acts will rightly face the full force of the law, as and where appropriate.

“We also want to see more protection given to service animals such as police dogs and horses, so we will be enacting what has become known as Finn’s law. I believe it is only right that animals which work to keep us safe should be given the fullest protection we can give them in return.

“Animal welfare is a subject I feel very passionately about, and call on stakeholders and parliament to support these bold steps to further improve Scotland’s high animal welfare standards.”

Kirsteen Campbell, Chief Executive of the Scottish SPCA, said: “These exciting changes have the potential to be transformational for animals across the country and the Scottish SPCA.

“The power to rehome animals without a court order would be of massive benefit to their welfare. All receive incredible care from our expert teams, but this is no substitute for a loving home.

“Prosecution is a last resort for the Society, but we have long felt the penalties for animal cruelty are too lenient and inconsistent. We hope increasing the options available to Sheriffs will lead to fewer people mistreating animals in the first place.”

Cats Protection has welcomed the new laws. The charity’s Chief Executive James Yeates said: “Every week we hear of stories where cats, and other animals, have been subjected to horrific cruelty, causing them severe suffering, and often lifelong physical injuries or psychological problems. And sadly, we hear of many cases where cats have died after suffering appalling acts of cruelty.

“Animal cruelty is an abhorrent crime and Cats Protection welcomes this bill which will increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from 12 months to five years.

“This increase reflects the importance that society places on protecting animals from harm and punishing those who are cruel towards them, ensuring Scotland is one of the world leaders on animal welfare issues.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity and during 2018, its 40 volunteer-run branches and four centres in Scotland rehomed 4,000 unwanted cats and neutered more than 14,000 cats.

Dozens of dogs were rescued after a raid on a suspected puppy farm in Moray yesterday. Two were pregnant and have since given birth, leaving the Scottish SPCA to care for 78 dogs.

Inspectors from the charity carried out the raid in an operation with police and Moray Council after concerns were raised about animals at a property.

The dogs are now being cared for by the Scottish SPCA’s dedicated animal care teams. Whilst 60 dogs were seized during the initial raid, two were pregnant at the time and Scotland’s animal welfare charity is now caring for 78.

Kirsteen Campbell, chief executive of the Scottish SPCA, said: “Sadly, many of the dogs we’ve taken are showing signs of disease and infection consistent with intensive breeding.

“Our animal care and veterinary experts have been selflessly working around the clock to provide care for these poor animals since the raid. Whilst it is an immense challenge, the main thing is these dogs are all receiving an amazing amount of love and care.”

“It costs an average of £15 per day to care for a single dog, but money is no object so long as these dogs are now in a safe place. Many of these dogs need ongoing veterinary care and we are going through a lot of food and supplies for the puppies. Any support members of the public can provide is most welcome.”

“We cannot comment further on the specific details of this case as it is a live investigation.”

Moray Council’s highly-trained and experienced Trading Standards officers acted when they spotted several similar adverts of puppies for sale on Gumtree.

The authority’s Trading Standards Manager said the multi-agency approach taken by Moray Council, the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland was vital.

“Our officers’ remit is to deal with consumer protection, however a situation like this throws up many issues which requires the expertise of different agencies.

“I’m pleased that through collaborative working, we’ve been able to safeguard the welfare of the puppies and stop future customers from being exploited. The puppies are now in the experienced and able hands of the Scottish SPCA.”

The Scottish SPCA is in urgent need of Royal Canin puppy milk and cotton pads for toileting and cleaning puppies. Anyone who can help can purchase these through the charity’s Amazon wishlist or drop supplies in to their nearest centre or the Scottish SPCA’s headquarters.

 

First Minister celebrates acts of heroism at Bravery Awards

More than 50 emergency service workers and members of the public have been presented with Brave@Heart Awards recognising acts of bravery and heroism.

Police, fire and ambulance staff and other emergency responders were invited to nominate for the annual awards. Continue reading First Minister celebrates acts of heroism at Bravery Awards