UK school children praised for multimedia skill

The BBC and the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), have recognised the most innovative uses of multimedia applications and Web pages in UK schools and sixth-form colleges.

The National Educational Multimedia Awards 1998 (Nema) saw the 11-14 year old category prize go to Laburnum Junior School in Hackney for an interactive historical guide to Ancient Egypt. The George Orwell Secondary School in London picked up the over 15s award for the use of multimedia tools to provide an insight into their lives and where they live.

In the under 10s section, Murch Junior School in the Vale of Glamorgan won an award for reinterpreting a traditional Welsh story using animation, sound effects and graphs.

Commenting on the potential value of Nema to the commercial world, Owen Lynch, chief executive of Becta, said: "The creativity and imagination that these children bring to multimedia has to be the envy of many adults. They are already developing the skills to equip them for tomorrow's world."

The award winning entries from this year's Nema scheme - along with efforts from other schools that received commendations - can be viewed at www.bbc.co.uk/education/nema/.