Manchester-based tech firm UKFast is spearheading a groundbreaking partnership with a school in the West Midlands to foster STEM education.
By installing a ‘Raspberry Pi Café’ at St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary School, UKFast aims to revolutionise how students engage with technology, providing them with a hands-on experience that could shape their future careers in STEM.
Promoting Hands-On Learning Through Raspberry Pi
UKFast has equipped St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary School with a new IT suite, featuring a state-of-the-art Raspberry Pi Café. This innovative facility is aimed at encouraging students to delve into the world of programming and computing. With its flexible learning environment, the café offers young minds the chance to interact with advanced technology directly, fostering a deeper understanding and interest in STEM subjects.
Resources and Support from UKFast
The tech initiative goes beyond mere installation. UKFast is providing comprehensive resources, including hardware and cabling, to ensure the success of the programme. They are also offering educational materials and teacher training, giving educators the tools needed to inspire and educate a new generation of tech enthusiasts.
By facilitating such a robust support system, UKFast ensures that both students and teachers are well-equipped to take full advantage of the tools at their disposal.
Engaging the Next Generation of Tech Experts
According to UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones MBE, merely providing the technology isn’t enough.
“Traditional digital education sometimes lets kids down,” Jones states emphatically. By aligning technology with students’ interests, UKFast hopes to uncover and nurture creative talents that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This hands-on approach is a critical aspect of the programme, designed to allow students to experiment with technology outside the usual classroom confines. Such exposure could potentially unlock pathways to lucrative STEM careers for many young learners.
A Broader Vision for STEM Education
St Maria Goretti headteacher Zoe Cooper highlights the transformative impact of the partnership. “It’s raised the aspirations of the children and inspired them in a really amazing way,” she says.
The initiative is not limited to fulfilling curriculum requirements. It is about equipping students with skills for future technology that hasn’t yet been invented.
The school now views STEM as a pivotal part of the curriculum, recognising the vast career opportunities it presents.
Connecting Students to Future Careers
Students from St Maria Goretti have had the opportunity to visit UKFast’s hi-tech campus in Manchester.
These visits enable them to get a closer look at a real-world tech environment and begin considering potential career paths in the industry.
By witnessing technology at work in a professional setting, students gain valuable insights into their possible futures within the sector.
Teacher Training: Key to Sustaining the Partnership
UKFast hasn’t just focused on students; they are also providing essential support for teachers.
Teacher training sessions conducted by UKFast experts enhance educators’ knowledge and confidence in delivering STEM subjects.
This ensures that the partnership’s benefits are long-lasting and integrated into the school’s framework.
The Potential for Future Collaborations
The success of this partnership may pave the way for future collaborations between educational institutions and industry leaders, encouraging a national emphasis on STEM education.
The collaboration between UKFast and St Maria Goretti exemplifies the powerful impact that partnerships between industry and education can have.
By integrating technology into the learning environment, students gain critical skills that prepare them for dynamic future careers.