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Welcome to Kao Academy
Data centres help run our world, but most people don’t even know what they are!
Kao Data is a company that owns and runs data centres near London. We’ve set up the Kao Academy to help young people learn more about these buildings and how they impact our everyday lives.
Here you can find out what data centres are and why they’re so important, help crunch “big data” in our online game and download and build your own model data centre!
What are data centres?
And why are they so important?
The world we live in today is increasingly reliant on data - with computers and digital devices all around us - at school, work and play. Every time you use the Internet, send a text, look up a football score, do a Zoom call, or play Minecraft, you are using information (data) that is stored on computers called servers.
These servers are housed in big, strong, secure buildings – superhero buildings - called data centres. They provide huge amounts of data storage and computing power, and allow superfast connections between computers.
Data centres keep the computers that power our world up and running.
Find out more...
How we built Kao Data - in 2½ minutes!
Data centres are superhero buildings - here's why!
Help us crunch 'Big Data'
How quickly can you match different data?
Data centres store and process massive amounts of information (data), of all different types. Play the game and see what level you can get to!
Build a data centre!
Download this booklet to build your own model just like Kao Data
The booklet includes easy-to-follow instructions and templates for you to build a model data centre, plus a word search and some mind-boggling facts about data centres to wow your friends and family!
You’ll just need some paper or card, a printer, scissors and glue. When your construction is complete, send us a picture to kaoacademy@kaodata.com
DOWNLOAD THE PDF BOOKLETMore fun and games
Competition time! Design your own data centre!
Great data centres need great designs and great designers! Now its your turn - and don't forget they cost millions of pounds to build and must be high-tech, really reliable and super secure!
How to enter
- 1. Create your design as a drawing or model. You could use Minecraft, Lego or cardboard – or anything else that takes your fancy!
- 2. Highlight any special features you’ve included, and why.
- 3. Email a photograph or scan of your design to kaoacademy@kaodata.com.
- 4. Please provide your name, age and address, and the name and contact telephone number of your parent or guardian.
- 5. The entry deadline is Thursday 30th June 2022 and the lucky winner will be announced by 7th July 2022.
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Interested in Science and Technology? Visit the Cambridge Science Centre