Video: Fruit and guitars give teens tech taste at Copperbox Arena
Youngsters interact with the dni of strawberries in a workshop at TeenTech's technology hub in the Copper Box. - Credit: Archant
The worlds of science, technology and sport collided on Friday as more than 500 children from across the capital took part in a series of challenges and experiments at the Copperbox Arena.
TeenTech's technology hub at the Copper Box. - Credit: Archant
TeenTech City saw the innovators of tomorrow take part in an exciting line up of activities at the London 2012 venue – showcasing how their passion and skills could lead to rich and fulfilling careers in the industry.
The brainchild of Bang Goes the Theory and former Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin, the day also involved more than 200 scientists, engineers and technologists opening up the eyes of youngsters to a host of life options.
“This is all about helping young people understand just how many opportunities there are in science, technology engineering and mathemetics (STEM subjects),” said Maggie
“We want them to feel that they very much belong in this world.
Youngsters in a workshop at TeenTech's technology hub in the Copper Box. - Credit: Archant
“We’ve seen some really engaged students tackling things and you can’t help but feel infected by their enthusiasm.”
With an emphasis on fun and varierty, challenges ranged from strawberry DNA extraction to an iPad drawing class, and from electric guitar building to freezing carbon dioxide in a balloon.
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“I didn’t know there was that much science that goes into growing strawberries,” said Hannah Havery, 13, from St Saviour’s School, Southwark. “It’s really fun and interactive.
The day also marked the launch of a research mission to uncover teenagers’ real views on opportunities within science and technology subjects.
TeenTech's technology hub at the Copper Box. - Credit: Archant
Research carried out by TeenTech suggests that while only 29 per cent of female students may initially say they were interested in a career in STEM subjects, once exposed to examples of what this might actually look like – the figure changes to 71pc.
The Copperbox event was just one of the many initiatives in the organisation’s calendar, following a Buckingham Palace prizegiving ceremony earlier in the year.
