Eryn Allerston-Brockwell, Work Experience
On the 10th July, a small group of Year 8’s set out to the KC stadium for the annual ‘TeenTech’ event. Students used their STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) skills to apply themselves to different situations and solving problems. A range of businesses were at the event and they all had their different stalls and activities for over 200 12-13 year olds to participate in throughout the day which would test their abilities to the maximum.
From disabling a ‘bomb’ to building bridges, the event offered a huge amount of interactivity for the pupils, making the excitement increase by adding prizes , from as little as a certificate, to a JVC Boom blaster and an iPod touch. The first event of the day was construction, which saw the girls’ team finding out how ‘STEM’ properties could be applied within the real world and after their discussion, they had to answer questions about their new taught knowledge and when they got the answer right, they were handed a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, applying their construction skills. Afterwards, they entered a different room which saw them creating an ‘egg rover’ that would have to hold an egg and drop it from a height without the egg cracking. One out of the four teams managed to create basket like carriers that prevented the egg from cracking, beating two other student teams and even a teachers team too.
The girls then went to an events room which held approximately 16 different companies that were showcasing what they could do and what skills are necessary. The girls were given a rota and enjoyed speaking to people who told them more about where their newfound ‘STEM’ skills come into different situations, including being in the army, creating modern technology at JVC, and making ‘windmills’ for a chocolate bar. This event happened until lunch, where the final ideas for the ideas wall were placed. The ideas had to be about something that could either improve life or make their current life better. The winner of this would receive an IPod touch so the stakes were high.
After lunch, Malet’s students were tested against other schools’ students to make any app that they want. They ranged from healthy eating apps to games where you could ‘bite Suarez back’. The 12-13 year olds pitched their ideas at the end of the 30 minute creating time, having just 60 seconds to persuade the app designers to choose theirs as the winning one. After every team in the room had pitched, all groups were re-united to see who won the prizes of all events, which saw Talitha Marshall who beat a KC employee at Mario Kart, winning a £10 Amazon voucher. After the prizes, the pupils watched video from the previous TeenTech, showing students from this event travel to Buckingham palace for the grand final of the TeenTech event, which also influenced the students to think about applying for roles working with ‘STEM’.
Malet came away with one certificate from the app designers as the winners of the best pitch, with their jingle ‘Reduce Your Excuse’ which was a first for the TeenTech completion ever.
‘It was amazing, unbelievably amazing and the best day of my life.’ –David
‘I found it quite interesting today and I would do it again any day’ –Alex
Malet will hopefully be entering again next year to the TeenTech event, and seeing what creations and ideas that our current Year 7’s can come up with.
Year 10 Work Experience at Malet Lambert 