WATCH: Wick High School teacher named Highland Hero for innovation in the classroom
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Technology has become an integral part of everyday life – even more so for the next generation.
And with that in mind computing science teacher Chris Aitken has been inspiring secondary school pupils at Wick High School in Caithness to make the most of what is at hand in the modern world.
He is described as an "inspirational" teacher who encourages his pupils to explore the practical applications of technology in a way that captures their imagination and makes learning fun.
He picked up the 2023 Highland Hero award for secondary school teacher at the awards bash at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness for his efforts.
Picking up his award after being congratulated on his spectacular sporran by host Nicky Marr, Mr Aitken praised the Highland teaching community.
He said: "I'd like to say thank you very much. It is really appreciated.
"I'm very mindful that there are many many teachers in the Highlands making a big difference making a big difference every single day.
"Every day they come into work and really make a big difference to our kids so well done to them."
By capturing young hearts and minds in this was he has been able to show many pupils the way to move on to rewarding and fulfilling careers with their skills developed in his classroom.
One example was Mr Aitken taking S3 pupils on an ethical hacking course.
It involved penetrating and securing computer networks – using an internet-connected teddy bear.
And a few years ago, he and his pupils created a "light bike" and exhibited it at a major science and engineering event in Birmingham.
The bike, covered in LED lights, was designed to improve safety on the world famous North Coast 500 situated here in the Highlands.
READ MORE: Winners of Highland Heroes announced in Inverness
In addition in 2022, Mr Aitken assisted a voluntary heritage group by transforming an old-fashioned rotary telephone into an easy-to-use device that allows oral history interviews to be “dialled up” – allowing older people, including care home residents and daycare centre users, to listen to recordings of reminiscences without requiring an internet connection.
During break times at school, and with input from pupils, Chris deployed a Raspberry Pi - a very small and simple computer - to load more than 300 interviews onto the device.
