The TeenTech experience is a highly interactive event designed to inspire young people and their teachers about the contemporary world of STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics). This experience gave our Year 9 students and teachers the opportunity to try their hand at experiments, handle cutting edge technology and, most importantly to spend time with the engineers, technologists and scientists influencing their 21st century lives.
TeenTech is a powerful intervention just before students make their GCSE subject choices, dispelling gender stereotypes and shifting perceptions of careers teenagers may have considered ‘difficult’, ‘geeky’ or ‘boring’.
On the day, our Year 9 students were inspired by industry experts who highlighted different entry levels, including those for apprentices and technicians as well as graduates based around potential careers in STEM.
The students and staff were welcomed to the TeenTech event by Maggie Philbin, co-founder and CEO of TeenTech CIC. Maggie has worked in radio and television for over 30 years on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes, such as hosting Tomorrow’s World for the BBC.
After the introductions, students form Manchester Academy were split into 1 of 3 groups to be able to experience the three zones at TeenTech, carousel style, with each zone lasting for up to an hour.
Innovation Zone
Our Year 9 students visited the Innovation Zone first at the university’s Barnes Wallis Building.
As a team, the students had to design an app for a mobile phone or tablet. App designers, responsible for the design of such apps including Amazon and Trainline, talked briefly about their work and explained what goes into creating a successful app.
Armed with this information, the pupils decided on an idea; listed the features of the app and how consumers would use the features of a mobile phone and tablet; designed a logo and presented back to over 10 other schools, teachers and industry experts. They came second in the rankings, but were truly inspiring in the process.
Insight Exhibition
Next, the contingent went to the Insight Exhibition, at the Great Hall in the university’s Sackville Street Building. Here, our group of students and staff were split in half and spent 15 minutes at three timetabled stands.
The students completed various tasks which included filming a short video with the BBC using the latest technology, the industry has to offer.
|
The group also created their own shower gels working in collaboration with Dr Abigail Ickringill from F2 Chemical Ltd.
Our students were truly inspired to be innovative when they worked with professionals from Active Robots to programme a robot to dance to ‘Gangnam Style’ (see video opposite).
|
|
Challenge Zone
The group then visited the Renold Building to compete in the Challenge Zone of the TeenTech event.
Here, they worked with Manchester Airport to budget for priority and non-priority forms of customer service. They gained an insight into how the airport operates efficiently and what their employees do to ensure that the airport makes a sufficient profit on a daily basis.
They also worked with Network Rail gaining an understanding of the issues the organisation faces in relation to the environment. They worked with employees to create a campaign to ensure Network Rail offer an outstanding service for all stakeholders of the organisation.
Throughout the day, the students were encouraged to put their ideas for improving life in future on the ideas wall. They were asked to think imaginatively about the kind of science and technology that might make life better in 2050. They could think about any aspect – how technology might help improve the planet, travel, buildings, clothes, food, entertainment, sport, academic life, health, and the arts – and were free to use technology and science that does not yet exist.
The pupils contributed with many interesting and innovative ideas which they later presented to all the participants attending the event.
Findings
Overall, the TeenTech event engaged and encouraged our young people of all abilities. It helped our students to refocus their thinking about school subject choices and to consider career paths they never knew existed. This event changed their perceptions about STEM and the people who work in it, while giving our students confidence about their abilities they may not have found in the classroom.
The TeenTech event sharpened our Maths and Science teachers’ knowledge about industry and provided them with plenty of ideas to enrich their lessons back at Manchester Academy.
By participating in this event it has allowed the Enabling Employability department to build new relationships between the Academy and leading national companies to help offer many opportunities to all students based around STEM.
The Year 9 that attended this event represented Manchester’s finest and were a true credit to Manchester Academy. We look forward to competing again next academic year and developing our links with industry experts to enhance our curriculum.
Aiden Lucas
Enabling Employability