Hundreds of children enjoy the wonders of science at STEM festival

STEM returned with a packed programme including favourites such as the virtual rollercoaster and selfie robot 

More than 600 primary pupils and secondary and college students from across Barnet and North London enjoyed a host of fun scientific activities at the annual STEM festival at Middlesex University.

This year STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) returned bigger than ever with nearly 30 different activities for the students to explore alongside talks from industry experts.

Favourites returned such as selfie-taking robot Bertie, and the unique motion-driven virtual reality rollercoasters where pupils could strap on an Oculus Rift headset and enjoy the ride.

Discovering microscopic water beasts, feeding carnivorous plants, studying life in pond water under a microscope and observing tiny organisms in saltwater were also among the opportunities for the schoolchildren to explore.

In addition, they could create their own space habitat and use their concentration to create mission-critical tasks which rely on brain waves.

The event, which coincides with British Science Week, aims to inspire young people’s interest in STEM subjects and to show them the vast range of study areas including Biology, Sports Science, Design Engineering, Mathematics, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Biophysics and Bioengineering. 

One student Omar Maaouane Veiga, who grew up in Barnet and studied at Compton School, was helping out on a stand run by Didactic Services, the educational arm of Festo, teaching people about pneumatics which involves using pressurised air to power mechanical equipment. 

Omar, a third year BEng Mechatronics and Robotics student who won Gold in the Automation event at the WorldSkills UK finals last year, said: “You could really see the glint in the eyes of the children when you start explaining how it works. They didn’t realise science can be so fun.”

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring in the pupils so they can have hands on experience which is so important. It really opens their eyes to the many careers available in science. This is a great event for the Barnet community and I am very proud that Middlesex University is opening its doors for students to learn about science.”

Collindale South Councillor Nagus Narenthira was representing the Mayor of Barnet at the STEM festival and has been a science teacher herself for 27 years. She is pictured below with Cricklewood Councillor Anne Clarke.

Pupils at the festival had the chance to enter a virtual reality building via a headset where they could interact and shape the design. They could also test their strength in the sports science section by pushing down on an immovable plate which measures their power. 

During STEM, systems engineer Laura Hoang gave a talk about her career journey from aerospace, through working in green hydrogen production, enhancing safety in mining and oil & gas, and in wastewater systems, to her current job in the nuclear industry as Human Factors Lead for Sizewell C.

Laura revealed that due to illness she didn’t get the A level grades needed initially for her chosen university, Loughborough, but ended up with a scholarship from the same institution  to study a different branch of engineering.

Her advice to students was: "Be curious, stay curious, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Being able to find opportunities will really, really help you. You have to find your spark – find what you love and do it, and forge your own path. It doesn’t matter if you fail as you learn from your mistakes and failures.”

Speaking about the event, she said: “I truly believe engineers can change the world. If children are going to look to pursue a career in a particular field then it has to be interesting and fun and this is exactly what the STEM Festival is.”

STEM festival organiser Professor Mehmet Karamanoglu, the Head of Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics who introduced Laura, said: “There's lots of different ways of studying engineering. I'm a Professor of Engineering but I have no A Levels. I came through the vocational route and have national diplomas but still managed to get a degree and a PhD. Today, you have many more opportunities and qualifications to get you to study including apprenticeships, to build a fantastic career.”

Prof Karamanoglu advised students to ‘learn by doing,’ and that practical experience is extremely important.

Other events during the day included a panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, reflecting on the threats and opportunities of AI to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), for an audience of local community organisations. Speakers included Professor Balbir Barn, Dean for the Faculty of Science and Technology and Dr Mahdi Aiash, an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Cybersecurity. This panel was chaired by Faculty Deputy Dean Professor Sally Priest and introduced by Vice-Chancellor Professor Shân Wareing.