STEAM Into Higher Education: Hijinks at Harper Adams

We made our way to Harper Adams University, this week, to meet some bright sparks at The Big Bang’s ‘STEAM into Higher Education’ event. The day was about getting students in year 9 and 10 to think about carrying science, technology, engineering, arts and maths into further and higher education, and the influence these subjects have on potential future careers. The day featured interactive stands, show talks from leaders in fields of STEAM and hands on workshops- all with the aim of setting out the opportunities that can be found in these areas.

After being asked to take part, we hopped into our Mobile Digital Classroom and headed to Shropshire to join the fun! Once we arrived, we had the chance to speak to students about their future ambitions and ask them how they felt about STEAM.

We wanted to offer an example of what technology could offer, so set up our Mobile Digital Classroom as a VR and AR studio, allowing us to showcase the technology currently available and allowing us to discuss jobs for the future and the skill-sets that would be needed. We had a blast with our teamwork and communication VR challenge- encouraging learners to defuse a digital bomb using skills such as creative thinking and logic that are critical across the many different fields of STEAM.

Altogether, we engaged with just under one hundred young people. We also had the chance to speak to other organisations and services and discuss the ways that STEAM subjects can be promoted and ways to raise awareness.

We hope to take part in another Big Bang event soon and, as we renew our workshops and equipment in the new year, hope to be able to offer even more digital and STEAM activities to young people.