Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow Pilot Project Success

Our Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow project commenced earlier this year with funding via the UK Community Renewal Fund.

The aim of the project is to give pupils an insight into the world of manufacturing and industry and gain knowledge and experience of technology.

The project is being delivered in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Conwy, and Denbighshire, and during the last academic year, 8 secondary schools, 40 primary schools and over 1400 students have engaged. 

The sessions involve students working on 2-dimensional computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM), 3-dimensional CAD/CAM with 3D printing and the coding of a Microbit buggy to help them find their way around their new secondary school.  This is delivered over the course of three sessions, and pupils learn how to use free software so that they can continue learning either in the classroom or at home. 

The project has been very rewarding so far for both the delivery staff and the participating students, and teachers have also been able to benefit from the experience of delivering these sessions.  We have received great feedback to show that the activities are fun and that students are learning a lot about modern methods of design and manufacture.

Secondary school students in Year 9 or 10 are also involved, with the aim of them acting as mentors to participating primary school students throughout the process.  This mentoring work can make a significant contribution to the Community Challenge section of their National Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate which will be awarded to them at the end of Year 11.  

   

In North Wales, a highlight of the first session is the ‘battle royale’ of the Jitterbugs – only the best built ones survive. 

Prestatyn High School in Denbighshire have also been involved, and they sent Year 10 students along to help mentor Year 6 children through some of the exercises which was very well received by both groups.  Prestatyn and their feeder schools put in a great deal of effort to make this happen, and the results were very positive.

The silhouette sessions delivered in Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent have been a huge success, seeing the pupils use the 2D design software with such ease and confidence.  Pupils designed some amazing Jitterbugs, as well as participating in several ‘Jitter-offs’ to see whose bug was built to last.

Thanks to our delivery team led by Chris Harris, the feedback so far has been fantastic across the Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow project and some schools have even said they will be looking to get a 3D printer for class projects. 

Go to our Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow page for more information and to see some tweets from participating schools. 

If your school is in one of the above funded regions and would like to take part in the Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow project, please contact us on info@stemcymru.org.uk. 

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.