Inspiring tomorrow’s innovators today
TeenTech returns to the Surrey!
TeenTech® , the award winning industry-led initiative aimed to inspire the next generation of scientists and technologists, has returned to Surrey today for the second year running. SATRO is proud to be running the event again which is being held at Surrey Sports Park, part of the University of Surrey.
Over 300 school students aged 12-13 from the South East of England are spending the day with scientists and engineers from some of the world’s leading companies – including P&G, JVC, Samsung, BOC and Virgin Media - giving them the unique opportunity to do hands-on experiments and learn more from those at the top of their field. This year the students have the opportunity to see a planet show in an inflatable mobile planetarium, programme robots, solve a forensics crime scene, run a production line, become a virus detective, or create some digital art amongst many other exciting projects.
TeenTech® is the brainchild of co-founders Maggie Philbin (BBC Tomorrow’s World) and Chris Dodson, OBE, Institute of Directors (IoD). It was founded in 2008 to enable young people to understand their true potential and to realise the many doors that can be opened for them through embarking on a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) career path.
Maggie Philbin, CEO of TeenTech comments: “It is important for companies to be actively involved in helping young people and their teachers understand what the real opportunities are in their industries, and the skills needed to take advantage of them. The commitment shown by all the companies participating is fantastic, showing how they are taking this responsibility seriously. It is not enough to moan about the skills shortage, we need to actively change the current perceptions held by teenagers and their parents about the future employment possibilities in the region."

Research conducted in last year’s event shows a shift in the participants’ attitude toward careers in science and engineering. When asked at the end of the day compared to the start if they would consider a career in science, there was a marked increase from 51% to 81% saying yes. Similarly with engineering this increase was from 48% to 79%. Watch this blog for the results of today’s event!

SCIENCE FLOATS THEIR BOAT

Years 1 and 2 pupils at Prior Heath Infant School had an exciting day of exploration on 11th November: workshops on Floating and Sinking and electric circuits in Lighthouses were delivered by the SATRO team. Year 1 experimented with a variety of objects to test the different properties of floating and sinking; boats were crafted from aluminium foil and weights were added to investigate the Archimedes principle. Year 2 learnt about the components of a simple electric circuit and used this knowledge to build a lighthouse with a flashing light. The teachers were pleased with the outcomes of the day, agreeing that it increased the pupils’ knowledge of science and provided an opportunity for team-work. The children enjoyed a positive learning experience and some commented that they would like to be an engineer or scientist when they grow up.

We are grateful to Councillor David Ivison who sponsored this event.

GLOBAL TRADING GAME PROVOKES THOUGHT...

60 year 4, 5 & 6 pupils from St James' Primary School in Elstead had a harsh lesson on 6th November, quickly realising that global trading is deeply unfair!

The children were broken down into two groups of six countries representing rich/emerging & poor countries of the world and tried to generate wealth for their ‘countries’ by making paper shapes which had a currency they could then bank. The poor countries had lots of raw materials (paper) but no technology and the rich countries had all the technology but limited raw materials. The rich countries quickly began manufacturing but were unwilling to trade their technology for the raw materials they needed thereby ensuring the poor countries remained poor. It evoked some wonderful thinking and comments from the pupils... "I learnt that you have to think about he trade before you do it. Fairtrade will make sure that people who are poor will get some money, I loved the game!" and, "I learnt that we should trade more fairly so that some children go to bed with a full stomach and that if we work fairly we will probably all have the same amount of money and hopefully that will mean there will be no more wars."

A de-brief following the game highlighted the plight of the cocoa farmers in Ghana and the fact that out of a £1 bar of chocolate the farmers only receive 7p with the rest going to the two Governments in tax, the manufacturers and the retailers which the children thought was deeply unfair.

A powerful and thought provoking game for all concerned.

NUFFIELD RESEARCH PLACEMENT CELEBRATION EVENING

Esher College hosted a real Celebration of student’s work once again on 22 October. The annual Nuffield Research Placement Scheme’s display and celebration of the summer projects was held for the last time with all 46 students researchers talking about their placements to some 100 visitors. The Vice-Chair of Surrey County Council attended along with special guest Mark Havler from Surrey Wildlife Trust, who spoke about the importance of students participating in fieldwork and collecting data. Surrey Wildlife Trust had certainly benefitted over the years from their work and hopefully this can continue. Mark has personally supervised many students over the years – this year, 6 students completed project with his help and support. SATRO Patron Jon Tickle expressed his admiration for the standard of work achieved by the students which, he said, was of an even higher standard than last year! Many students are contributing to publications through their supervisors, who have said that they prefer a month of a Nuffield students to a year’s work from an undergraduate!

Michael Overy from Epsom and Ewell High School, and Hannah Banks from Tiffin Girls School were presented with a certificate for best project for 2013. All students received the Gold CREST Award!

Building Strong Foundations

An opportunity to build stronger links with their local school was offered to parents at St Peter’s RC Primary School when SATRO delivered a Mega-Structures Challenge on 21st October. An novel evening activity it brought together parents and their children in an exciting construction workshop, in which mixed teams had to design and build a shelter large enough to accommodate at least 3 of the teams members. The challenge provided a unique opportunity for children – and their parents – to develop skills in communication, planning, design and teamwork. 11 teams involving some 65 participants created different shaped structures made out of rolled paper sticks. The event was supported by a volunteer from Atkins Global plc, Peter Walbridge, who gave a short introduction on his job as a civil engineer. Great fun was had by all and the teachers were delighted with the outcomes and overall success of the evening. Many positive comments were received at the end of the workshop:

”It was fun way of learning about engineering and also we all learnt to work as a team” - parent
“It made me want to become an engineer” – pupil

Brightening the Science Curriculum

Year 1 and Year 2 pupils at Heather Ridge Infant School had an illuminating day of science, in which simple circuits were incorporated in lighthouse models and different objects were tested for their floating or sinking properties. The pupils were introduced to new concepts which developed their creative thinking, fault-finding and practical skills. The children learnt a lot during the day and the teachers were pleased with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the SATRO team.

This event was funded through the generous support of Cllr David Ivison.

Maths Wizards Take Shape at The Duke of Kent School

Three days of Fun Maths took place at the Duke of Kent School in Ewhurst.  On the first two days classes from Years 4 through to Year 10 undertook the challenge to complete as many puzzles as possible within a time limit.  The third day was an Open Day for the school so parents and children combined their talents to solve the mathematical tasks.  All sessions were well received and presented an opportunity for the participants to test their knowledge and develop new skills. 

Comments included: “Now I really like maths thanks to you”;  “It made me think outside the box… it was a good challenge”;  “It was very good to do some maths with my son and enjoy it!”