Hundreds of school children visited the home of the Olympics for an interactive and scientific show aimed at inspiring the next generation of technologists and scientists.

Newham Recorder: Pupils from the Eastlea Community School create structures using 3D printer pensPupils from the Eastlea Community School create structures using 3D printer pens (Image: No use without photographers Written permission.mob07527411059.)

TeenTech, an organisation set up by former Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin, hosted the event at the Copper Box in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Wednesday last week.

It brought together local businesses and technology companies with creative students from across London.

Ten year nine pupils from Eastlea Community School, Canning Town, attended the event which featured programming robots, speeches, workshops and challenging tests.

Alexandra Stechmann, science teacher, said: “It was a long day, but when I asked them at the end of this, how many have changed their views about engineering and science, all of them shouted ‘me’.

“While they initially had their preconceptions about what engineers and scientists do and look like, this event certainly helped them change their understanding of the careers and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematic subjects that are out there on the market.”

TeenTech was founded in 2008 and this year companies taking part included consumer goods corporation Proctor and Gamble and architecture firm Gensler.

Maggie added: “It was great to see so many young people filling the Copper Box with new found enthusiasm for technology which you could see growing in front of your eyes.

“The reason we do this for kids, parents and even teachers is to show that it is a big world out there and they have the skills needed to be hands on and learn through experience.

“Sometimes we can lose sight of the qualities we have and I try to remind and demonstrate those qualities are what is needed in a workplace.”