School pupils across Warwickshire and Leicestershire are being invited to explore the possibilities of AI and innovation as part of the latest TeenTech Festival due to be hosted at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI). Activities will see pupils exploring the possibilities of computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing such as ChatGPT and automation, all set to create millions of new jobs worldwide as the AI revolution unfolds. There will be a particular focus on how AI is affecting the automotive and transportation sectors with sessions on robotics from Fanuc, logistics with Wincanton and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) from Polestar.
Schools are being encouraged to register pupils from Years 8 and 9 to take part in a virtual innovation session on 16 January 2024 and then select ten pupils to represent their school on TeenTech festival day on Thursday 8 February 2024. The event is being made possible thanks to the support of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, and North Warwickshire Borough Council.
TeenTech festivals are highly interactive and designed to inspire young people and their teachers about the contemporary industries shaping their future. TeenTech provides pupils and teachers with the opportunity to try their hand at immersive challenges and experiments, to handle cutting edge technology and, most importantly, to spend time with engineers, technologists, and scientists from a wide range of companies influencing their 21st-century lives.
Lisa Bingley, Operations Director for the MTI said, “We are delighted to confirm the return of TeenTech to the MTI for 2024 and look forward to working with our industry partners including Haldex, Intrepid Control Systems, FluxSys and Viritech to deliver this experience. Now in its fifth year, we will be bringing together pupils from across Warwickshire and Leicestershire for an exciting and interactive programme that helps young people understand future career opportunities. Our TeenTech festival has always been a day that changes minds especially amongst those who may never have previously considered a career in science or technology.”
Maggie Philbin, CEO TeenTech said, “All our programmes focus on the future opportunities for young people in a fast-changing world. The skills and personal qualities needed are different but very much within their reach and the TeenTech Festival will showcase both exciting companies and help students recognise their own potential to thrive in tomorrow’s world”
Pupils will be able to access a TeenTech Innovation Live session with leading employers showcasing exciting aspects of their work with a focus on AI and Innovation. They will be able to ask questions and will then have the option of developing a mini project. Schools can involve as many students as they wish in this session.
On the festival day, schools are invited to bring a mixed-ability group of students for a half-day event at the MTI where they will take part in exciting challenges and hands-on activities and network with employers who will give feedback on their project ideas. Schools can bring a mixed-ability group of 10 students to this day.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Chair of the MTI Operations Board, and Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said, “The TeenTech programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain inspiration for their future careers. They may not have considered the impact of AI on their future career choices, but this type of event demonstrates its enormous scope to change the way we work and can be hugely rewarding as well as being critical and important.”
Schools that are interested in taking part in TeenTech MTI can register online or email [email protected].