Connect with us

Technology

World’s first computer-themed playground to open in Helsinki – children learn about technology through play

Published

on

HELSINKI, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — What is thought to be the world’s first computer-themed playground will be inaugurated on 1 October 2024 in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki. The playground is designed by children’s author Linda Liukas together with the landscape architecture office Näkymä Oy. In the new playground, children can get to know the world of computers and programming through play, and without digital devices. Helsinki is investing in the wellbeing of children, and the city was recently recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City.

“It’s exciting to design a playground for children, for whom play often means a computer game instead of a sandbox. The new playground offers something new for this generation. In the digital world, children are users, but in the playground, they are creators. I hope that Ruoholahti Playground will become an attractive place for children of many ages, where they can also learn about technology while playing,” says Linda Liukas, the head designer of the playground. Linda Liukas is known for her Hello Ruby story books, which teach coding to children.

The new bespoke playground equipment includes, for example, a computer tower, keyboard stairs and a sandbox in the shape of a game console controller. In the playground, children can create their own TikTok dances or learn to write their name using binary numbers – without phones. Educational material for visiting groups has been created for the playground that combines colouring pictures, tasks, technology games and audio contents. The material can be downloaded free of charge from the playground’s website. The playground’s unique equipment has been made by award-winning Danish playground equipment manufacturer Monstrum.

Designer Linda Liukas is happy for the new playground. Photo: Leena Karppinen, Helsinki Partners

Wishes of users taken into account in the design of the playground

The new playground has been designed in close collaboration with pedagogical experts. Users of the playground in the neighbourhood, local children, and educators were also consulted.

For the playground’s lighting, special attention was paid to the changing seasons, as Helsinki’s playgrounds are heavily used even in the dark winter and rainy autumn. In Finland, playgrounds are used in all weathers and all year round. The green areas in the new playground include a diversity and pollinator-themed educational planting area with information boards.

Computer-theme suites especially well to Ruoholahti, as it is home to many international ICT companies. Photo: Sakari Röyskö, City of Helsinki

Recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City, Helsinki Celebrates 110 Years of Playgrounds

Helsinki is the first Nordic capital to be recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City. The recognition is awarded to cities whose activities and development work promote the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“As recently outlined in our new architecture programme, we are committed to recognising the important role of architecture and landscape design in creating good urban life. Fostering child-friendly design is a key part of this work, and the Ruoholahti playground is a great example of what can be done,” says Chief Design Officer Hanna Harris.

The history of playgrounds in Helsinki stretches back 110 years. The decision to locate the new computer-themed playground in Ruoholahti was made because the area is home to many international ICT companies and an old Nokia factory that today functions as a cultural centre. In this way, children get to know the world that surrounds them in a new way.

When selecting the location of future theme playgrounds, the character of the neighbourhood is taken into account along with convenient public transport connections. Helsinki’s playgrounds offer a variety of activities, from family activities in the morning to club activities for school children in the afternoon, as well as free meals offered to everyone under the age of 16 in summertime. Helsinki’s playgrounds are open to everyone, and both locals and visitors, children and adults, are welcome to play there.

More information: 
Leena Karppinen 
Senior Manager, PR & Communications 
Helsinki Partners 
leena.karppinen@helsinkipartners.com 

Linda Liukas

Linda Liukas is an author, illustrator and educator from Helsinki, Finland. With her Hello Ruby children’s picture book series and philosophy, she brings a Nordic playful perspective to the sometimes serious world of computer science. Translated into nearly 40 languages, Hello Ruby books ask: what else is there to technology education than “Learn to code”? If computer code is the Lego block of our time – a tool of creation – how do we teach curiosity, joy, and wonder to our kids? http://lindaliukas.com/

Playgrounds

Helsinki has a city-wide network of around 60 year-round playgrounds that offer a wide range of services to residents of different ages in their local neighbourhoods. Playgrounds that are open to all, free of charge and professionally managed are, to this extent, a uniquely Helsinki phenomenon, the result of 110 years of ambitious development work. Read more: https://www.hel.fi/en/childhood-and-education/playgrounds-and-family-houses

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/helsinki-partners/r/world-s-first-computer-themed-playground-to-open-in-helsinki—children-learn-about-technology-throu,c4044802

The following files are available for download:

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/worlds-first-computer-themed-playground-to-open-in-helsinki–children-learn-about-technology-through-play-302262641.html

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

StarfishETL Introduces AI-Powered Enhancements to Simplify Field Mapping, Script Writing, and SQL Queries

Published

on

By

Low-code iPaaS announces new suite of AI-enabled features

CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — StarfishETL, a low-code iPaaS built for scalable data connections, is delighted to announce a new suite of AI-enabled features to its platform.

The application’s user-friendly Cloud Cartographer now includes three AI-assisted features to support more intelligent field mapping, script writing, and SQL query writing.

AI-Assisted Field Mapping

AI-assisted field mappings take auto-mapping to the next level. Users can apply this feature to get a quick jump-start of field-level mapping exercises. It can evaluate the list of available Origin fields and the Destination fields for that stage and come up with a recommendation for which fields should be matched.

If the user is only interested in mapping a few fields, they can easily narrow down the list prior to processing. All mapping suggestions can be reviewed and approved individually before adding them to the stage.

This AI mapping capability adds on to StarfishETL’s pre-existing low code mapping functions, to make it even easier for non-technical users to work with the platform.

AI-Assisted Script Writing

The AI-assisted script writing feature will help users write functions for individual field mappings or global scripts to create pre/post-process procedures. All StarfishETL’s pre-existing scripting language options are supported: C#, VBScript, Javascript, and Python.

The AI model has also been trained on internal ETL scripting functions, including: performing lookups, logging, working with cross-reference lists (Xrefs), and many other features.

To use the AI-assisted scripting, the user enters a prompt for what they want the new function or field mapping to do and provides hints of which fields they expect should be referenced. The AI model does the rest – presenting the user with a complete function to review and approve for their mapping.

AI-Assisted SQL Query Writing

The AI-assisted SQL query writing function within the Origin tab to help users write more complex queries. It can build WHERE clauses, perform JOINs across multiple tables, and use built-in SQL functions to perform translations on the SQL side to streamline the mapping experience.

The user provides a plain language prompt of which data they want returned, adding hints of which tables they’ll be pulling from, and StarfishETL then feeds the schema for those tables into the AI request. The response is a full SQL SELECT statement which users can review and approve for their Origin query. These queries can be tested and modified as the user wishes.

StarfishETL applies these AI capabilities using Amazon’s AI platform, which is powered by the latest AI models available.

“Our goal has always been to simplify the integration process, and by adding AI-assisted scripting, query writing, and field mapping to our platform, we’re empowering users to work faster and with greater accuracy,” says Aron Hoekstra, Lead Developer for StarfishETL. “This new feature reduces manual effort, accelerates project timelines, and makes complex integrations more accessible for teams of all skill levels.”

StarfishETL offers connections to 400+ applications. The platform is well received by analysts and business users for its ease-of-use, scalability, and performance. These new AI features will be available starting October 1, 2024. To request a demo of StarfishETL’s new AI-assisted features, or to get a quote for your next project, please reach out to our sales team at sales@starfishetl.com.

About StarfishETL

StarfishETL is a feature-rich iPaaS for cloud-to-cloud, hybrid, and on-premises deployed solutions. The platform has been recognized by various consumer review sites for its excellent user experience and high performance. The scalable platform supports integration and migrations ranging from small to enterprise-sized businesses and is backed by partners across the world. To learn more about StarfishETL, please visit the website at www.starfishetl.com.

Press Contact:
Danine Midura
8476553415
Starfish ETL | Starfish ETL

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starfishetl-introduces-ai-powered-enhancements-to-simplify-field-mapping-script-writing-and-sql-queries-302262778.html

SOURCE StarfishETL

Continue Reading

Technology

Introducing Perceptive: A New Name for the Global Leader in Discovery, eClinical, and Imaging Services and Solutions

Published

on

By

Calyx and Invicro rebrand, usher in a new era of leadership and support to the biopharmaceutical community

NOTTINGHAM, England, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Calyx and Invicro businesses officially launched under its new corporate identity, Perceptive. The new name reflects the organization’s increased strengths and capabilities, as they consolidate their place as a global leader in the provision of discovery, imaging, and eClinical solutions and services.

New identity reflects the company’s 50-year history and increased strengths in supporting the complete R&D lifecycle

Expanding on their combined 50 + -year history, Perceptive provides best-in-class specialist support to global pharmaceutical, biotech, and clinical research organizations, spanning the complete R&D lifecycle, from discovery and preclinical through clinical development to post marketing. Perceptive’s offerings include imaging biomarkers and core lab services, as well as innovative technologies in randomization and trial supply management (RTSM), analytics and software.

“Today marks a major milestone for Perceptive, as we advance our mission to serve science. We are committed to delivering the diligence, drive, and innovation today that will enable the global clinical research community to realize tomorrow’s new therapies,” said Perceptive CEO, David Herron. “We’re honoured to be part of the global healthcare solution by providing unmatched scientific and technological expertise, global operational experience, and end-to-end solutions that ensure confident R&D decision-making.”

Guided by values of customer-centricity, quality, and accountability, and with global reach across the US, Europe, and Asia, Perceptive aims to bring new insight and understanding to today’s biopharmaceutical industry by supporting researchers across three key areas:

Perceptive Discovery – identify the most promising candidate compounds and minimize risk on the path to clinical success with our collaborative approach to premier preclinical and first-in-human imaging services.

Perceptive eClinical – optimize patient and clinical supply management through the alliance of expertise, innovation, and agility.

Perceptive Imaging – advance novel therapies with scientific, regulatory, and global operational expertise that drives efficient and high-quality data across small and large-scale clinical trials.

Perceptive’s expertise is reflected in the support of almost 12,000 clinical research trials and 800+ approvals to date, across all clinical phases and therapeutic areas, with concentrated expertise in oncology and neuroscience. Moving forward under its new name, Perceptive will continue to serve science by delivering clarity and consistency for clinical trials worldwide on delivery, speed, and results.

To find out more, visit http://www.perceptive.com.

About Perceptive
Perceptive is a leading global technology-enabled service provider for preclinical and clinical trial imaging and IRT/RTSM (Interactive Response Technology/Randomized Trial Supply Management) for drug developers and the global clinical research community. Perceptive’s market-leading service, scientific knowledge, expertise, and technology offering help speed up the delivery of life-saving treatments to millions of patients around the world by accelerating and improving clinical trial outcomes. With operations in the US, Europe, the UK and Asia, the company provides 24/7 services to most of the world’s leading pharma and biotech companies.

Visit Perceptive.com and follow Perceptive on LinkedIn

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-perceptive-a-new-name-for-the-global-leader-in-discovery-eclinical-and-imaging-services-and-solutions-302263019.html

SOURCE Perceptive

Continue Reading

Technology

CleanSpark Provides Update on Hurricane Helene

Published

on

By

Employees and infrastructure are safe

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CleanSpark Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSK), America’s Bitcoin Miner® (the “Company”) today provided comments and updates on the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Statement from CEO Zach Bradford

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path across the Southeastern United States, we extend our deepest condolences to the communities, families, and individuals who have suffered loss, damage, and disruption due to this catastrophic event. We recognize the immense challenges faced by those in regions where the storm has left countless without power, water, and other basic necessities. The loss of life, including first responders who bravely served during this crisis, underscores the severity of Helene’s impact. Our thoughts are with every person whose life has been altered by this hurricane.

The communities in rural Georgia, where our employees and their families reside and where we operate, have experienced this firsthand. The resilience shown by the affected communities and our employees, as they come together to support one another is a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable nature. Our teams have been working hand in hand with the local utilities to mutually support the efforts to bring power back online to regions affected. Their grit and commitment have been outstanding.

I want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible teams who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication in the face of this challenge. Your unwavering commitment to excellence, even under trying circumstances, has not gone unnoticed. The spirit of collaboration, grit, and perseverance you’ve shown is truly commendable. Thank you for your hard work, your adaptability, and for pushing through adversity with such determination. We continue to move forward and achieve our goals because of your efforts.

Most importantly, all our team members are safe. Additionally, our geographically diverse portfolio of sites allowed us to maintain approximately 10.5 EH/s at our sites in Northwest Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee throughout the storm. To ensure health and safety, and to avoid any undue pressure on the electrical grid, we shut 365 MW of our Southeast Georgia sites down as the hurricane began impacting the region.

Since then, we have been in regular communication with the local utilities to safely bring up the sites in a manner that ensured the local community was supported throughout the process. Within 24 hours, we were able to bring hashrate back to over 17.5 EH/s. We have now brought approximately 200 MW back online and expect to bring the remaining 165 MW online in the coming week after the utilities and communities around us receive power. The majority of the 165 MW remaining offline is projected to be restored to communities no later than October 4, 2024. Our teams are prepared to promptly restore normal operations as soon as power becomes available.

We have also thoroughly evaluated all of our sites and are pleased to report that we have experienced no material damage to any site infrastructure. We are not aware of any material losses related to our mining servers and will continue this evaluation as we energize the remaining sites. Our hashrate is currently at approximately 22 EH/s. When our sites are fully reenergized, we expect to reach standard operations at approximately 28 EH/s.

About CleanSpark 
CleanSpark (Nasdaq: CLSK) is America’s Bitcoin Miner®. We own and operate multiple data centers that primarily run on low-carbon power. Our infrastructure responsibly supports Bitcoin, the world’s most important digital commodity and an essential tool for financial independence and inclusion. We cultivate trust and transparency among our employees and the communities we operate in. Visit our website at www.cleanspark.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this press release, forward-looking statements include, but may not be limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions, and strategies. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the timing of power being restored, potentially unknown damage due to the storm; the timing of energization of the storm affected data centers; anticipated additions and targets to CleanSpark’s hashrate and the timing thereof; the risk that the electrical power available to our facilities does not increase as expected; the success of its digital currency mining activities; the volatile and unpredictable cycles in the emerging and evolving industries in which we operate; increasing difficulty rates for bitcoin mining; bitcoin halving; new or additional governmental regulation; the anticipated delivery dates of new miners; the ability to successfully deploy new miners; the dependency on utility rate structures and government incentive programs; dependency on third-party power providers for expansion efforts; the expectations of future revenue growth may not be realized; and other risks described in the Company’s prior press releases and in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and any subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, changed circumstances or future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact 
Brittany Moore
702-989-7693
ir@cleanspark.com 

Media Contact
Eleni Stylianou
702-989-7694
pr@cleanspark.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cleanspark-provides-update-on-hurricane-helene-302263020.html

SOURCE CleanSpark, Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending