Broadband ISP Ogi Invest £10,000 into Local Schools in Wales

Broadband ISP and full fibre network builder Ogi has today announced that they’ve begun a new pilot programme with schools in Wales, which is initially investing £10,000 to help local schools in the country bring STEM subjects (i.e. science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to life for pupils in years 5-9.

At present Ogi, which is being backed by Infracapital (M&G Plc), is investing £200 million to deploy a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across 150,000 premises in Wales by 2025. But at the same time, they’re also getting involved in a lot of community initiatives, and this one is another example of that work.

The funding is being used to help setup new science education workshops – delivered in collaboration with education practitioners, Science Made Simple. The initial pilot programme launched during the autumn term with three schools in Llantwit Major (i.e. Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant, St Illtyd Primary School, and Llantwit Major Secondary School), coinciding with the completion of Ogi’s initial network in the Vale of Glamorgan town.

For example, at Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant, following an assembly that introduced using the electro-magnetic spectrum to transfer information – showing how light travels through fibre – pupils took part in an electronics workshop where they built and soldered their own slice of a network, emulating the delivery of data using a circuit board, resistors, capacitors, transistors and LEDs.

Sarah Vining, Head of Brand and Engagement at Ogi, said:

“We talk a lot about the benefits of ultrafast broadband here at Ogi, and this initiative gives pupils the opportunity to build their own piece of the puzzle; learning more about the technology they use each and every day.

This is a generation who were heavily reliant on broadband and connectivity for home schooling, entertainment and support during the pandemic. So, while broadband is brilliant for gaming, and keeping in touch with friends, we want to create excitement about the technology behind the ‘magic’ too, inspiring a new generation of engineers and data scientists.

These groups have shown a real understanding and appreciation for the inner workings of a broadband connection, taking nothing for granted as they explore the science that continues to keep them connected to the world around us.

That’s why it’s essential we continue to help schools access opportunities like this, which demonstrate the real-life application of these vitally important STEM subjects.”

Ogi is now looking to expand the programme to schools across South Wales in 2023.