UK award for pioneering Aberystwyth Robotics Club

Penglais student Iestyn Langstaff and Aberystwyth University student ambassador Pheobe Holcombe working on a 3D humanoid robotic arm at the Aberystwyth Robotics Club

Penglais student Iestyn Langstaff and Aberystwyth University student ambassador Pheobe Holcombe working on a 3D humanoid robotic arm at the Aberystwyth Robotics Club

10 March 2016

Aberystwyth Robotics Club and their collection of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassadors have won a national award during STEM Clubs Week for their work with students from Penglais Comprehensive school and Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig school.

Around 3,000 schools across the UK celebrated the second ever STEM Clubs Week (1-5 February) running activities to showcase the creativity, problem-solving and employability skills that their science, technology, engineering and maths activities offer.

Aberystwyth Robotics Club, based at the Physics department, has worked closely with Aberystwyth University students to open up an opportunity for their STEM Club members and enthuse about STEM careers.

The club has won an award for the Best Use of a STEM Ambassador in a STEM Club.

Every activity run with Aberystwyth Robotics Club is supported by eight to ten STEM Ambassadors, representatives from STEM careers who provide advice and invaluable insight.

Through partnering with the two schools and these STEM Ambassadors, pupils engage in various activities including the use of: 3D printing, Lego Mindstorms, Raspberry Pi’s and a wide collection of other resources to learn engineering techniques and develop innovative projects.  

STEM Clubs Week is coordinated by the education charity STEMNET, and aims to encourage and inspire all schools to form a club and explore the potential of STEM skills.

Kirsten Bodley, STEMNET’s CEO said: “STEM Ambassadors are a fantastic resource for schools, they can break down the barriers between education and the real world for pupils who may never have considered a STEM career before. These two schools are doing a wonderful job of broadening their pupils understanding of STEM and developing their STEM skills.”  

Katie Louise Hope, Aberystwyth University 3rd Year Physics with Planetary and Space Physics said: “I have been a part of Aberystwyth Robotics Club for the entirety of my degree, being a part of the club has given me insight into just how talented these young people are. The opportunity that Steve Fearn and the Robotics team give to these children is one that I would have loved to have experienced myself as a child. Alongside the practical challenges, being a part of the club has allowed me to gain valuable skills which will be a vital part to daily life when I undertake my Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Physics this September. I hope to see a lot of these willing STEM volunteers taking up successful careers in the STEM industry.”

The STEM Clubs website for schools has more information about STEM Clubs Week as well as advice on a range of activities that STEM Clubs can undertake. More information about Aberystwyth Robotics Club can be found at www.aberrobotics.club

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