Last week, the famous Cheltenham Science Festival hosted thousands of children and families with engaging science and STEM activities, stalls, events, talks and shows. All to inspire the next generation of scientists, raise aspirations for STEM careers, and feel empowered to tackle the climate crisis.
The DETI Inspire team were front and centre in the festival’s Discover Zone, inviting the crowds to have a go with their various engineering and sustainability activities and workshops. The West in Minecraft activity proved hugely popular again with a non-stop stream of young engineers designing and building sustainable solutions for our Minecraft city of Bristol. Among the solutions added were many wind turbine designs, vibrant green spaces, litter-pickers, sustainable housing, and even a solar-powered railway!
The team also brought some fun robots for the crowds to engage with and discover. With the younger minds exploring the animal-like behaviours of Thymios, and those with an urge to tinker being challenged with the LEGO Mindstorm sumo wrestlers.
The DETI Inspire team were also joined by UWE Engineering student ambassadors, that were able to practice their communication and outreach skills.
The festival was a great success, and undoubtedly will have inspired many future scientists and engineers. Our thanks go to the team at Cheltenham Science Festival for inviting us to be a part. For more information about the festival, head to the website: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science
The DETI Inspire team is funded by the West of England Combined Authority. For more information about the West of England Combined Authority, please head to https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/.
To learn more about the DETI Inspire team, and to book the DETI Inspire team for future STEM and sustainability outreach, please contact the team at the engineeringourfuture@uwe.ac.uk inbox.
The Institute for Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) kindly provided sponsorship for the DETI Team to be present at the festival, for more information on the IMECHE, please head to their website: https://www.imeche.org/