“iTrek was originally a pilot project carried out in 2007 as a joint partnership between the SWICN Computer Clubhouse and the Digital Hub Learning Initiative. Now in it’s second year, iTrek has returned, on a larger scale with an even more innovative game. The core idea behind iTrek was the creation of a digital, physical and mental challenge, which is run in real time across the city of Dublin and beyond, over one week. 24 children will take participate in the activity this year, in teams which vary daily. They will use mobile phones, wireless systems and headquarter technology to solve clues, track down codes and exchange information, in an effort to save the planet from environmental disaster.
iTrek is an interactive story. At the beginning of the week, the participants assemble at the iTrek Base. Here, they are briefed on their challenge for the week. Our Super Hero, Data, is at risk and has had to go underground to survive. She is unable to emerge from her hiding place but has managed to transmit a series of secret codes to the Central Command, Commander Jack. Our participants are asked to join this mission and become Eco Heroes, tracking down these codes and keeping them out of the hands of the enemy, Scourge.
Eco Heroes will be equipped with 3G mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and other high tech equipment to help collect the codes on each daily mission. Every day begins with the Eco Heroes receiving up-to-date Tech Training at iTrek Base. After this crucial session, they are briefed by Commander Jack on the mission for the day and will hear any messages that Data has managed to submit from her hiding place.
The daily missions are unique and are designed to test the team’s skills based on their morning Tech Training sessions. The teams change every day, so participants know that they need to learn how to work together quickly aswell as maximizing their own personal input in a new group dynamic. Each daily mission finishes with a debriefing session back in the iTrek Base where participants report back on their activities to Commander Jack in a Big Brother style video room, in order to fully record and capture the week’s activities. This Report will become a key instrument which will help mobilise the public to help work against Climate Change.
iTrek 2008 has also included a cross-border mission where participants will be communicating remotely with team members in Belfast, in order to collect codes on Day 4. On the final day, both the Dublin and Belfast participants will join forces in person for the Ultimate Challenge.
iTrek culminates in a showcase where Eco Heroes with the highest number of points collected across the week will be awarded prizes.” (“About iTrek”, retrieved on August 5, 2008 from http://www.itrek.ie/itrek/about).