A DAY of free interactive workshops will take place in Harwich aiming at "building confidence" among young people in the town.
On Saturday January 20, Signals will be hosting Digital Harwich: Live, a family-friendly event at Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre.
From 10.30am to 11.30am, there will be a stop motion animation workshop, suitable for visitors aged seven years and older.
Those attending will create their own miniature sets and characters, then bring their story to life through stop motion animation.
There will then be a video game making workshop from 12pm to 1pm, suitable for people aged nine years and older.
In this workshop, attendees will be taught how to make their own video game using Scratch, a design software.
Using Scratch, there is the possibility to include interactive stories, games and animations as part of the programming.
From 1.30pm to 2.30pm, there will be a musical robot building workshop for visitors aged nine years and older.
Attendees will create their own musical robots using Microbit computers.
They will then discover how to control motors using code to make robotic beats.
It is also hoped budding game designers from Colchester Institute will be present to show off their creations.
Frazer Merrick, a digital producer at Signals, said: "The event is part of a larger project we’re doing in Harwich with the same name.
"We received funding from the National Lottery to run this project in Harwich.
"It’s all about building confidence and fostering digital skills. It’s about empowering students.
"Some students may not have access that people in more built-up areas might have, such as larger cities.
“The core aim is they have a great time and learn some digital skills."
He added: “We’ve got a gentleman from Essex University who does photogrammetry, essentially 3D scans of underwater landscapes.
"If you have 3D scans, you can use that environment for a video game.
"He's created a six person game where you play on the seabed of the Norfolk coastline."
Signals was created by a group of filmmakers and was established as a community media and video workshop in 1988.
For more information, contact Signals by ringing 01206 560255.
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