Students from schools across Liverpool smashed preconceptions about careers in healthcare at The TeenTech @ Alder Hey Innovation Day. Year 8 and 9 students from six schools in the city met scientists, technologists and staff working across the world famous children’s hospital, exploring roles they may not have expected, from cyber security to interactive manikin technology, the safety of medicines to cutting-edge innovation in the creative arts. Students also enjoyed an upfront virtual session on patient safety to kick start their own ideas for this year’s TeenTech Awards, which culminates in a national showcase in June 2027.
Comments from students included:
‘I did enjoy today and was surprised as I presented the pitch, and even though it was not in my comfort zone, it was a nice experience.’
‘I enjoyed going round seeing all the different things and trying CPR. Working on our product and developing our own idea was fun.’
‘I really enjoyed doing my own ideas as it makes me open my mind and share the ideas that I think would help everyone .’
Hosted at the Institute in the Park, in the grounds of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and supported by the Alder Hey Charity and entrepreneur James Eder, TeenTech and staff from Alder Hey provided hands-on activities and immersive workshops to give young people insight and the self-belief that they too could work in these sectors. Linking school students with the world of work has never been more important so evidence-based programmes like these help change lives and futures.
A teacher said: ‘All my students were surprised by the jobs in Alder Hey. They could not name or describe any of the jobs encountered today before the event’
Enthusiastic participants pitched their pioneering ideas to a panel of experts, engaged in cracking cyber codes, state of the art medical technology, trying out resuscitation techniques and understanding how simulation technology is at the heart of healthcare training.
Dr Katherine Birch, Director of the Alder Hey Academy said
“Most young people only see a small part of what happens in the NHS, so days like this are a wonderful way to show them just how many different roles there are—and where STEM and Arts based subjects could lead them. TeenTech gives them space to be curious, get creative and put their ideas to the test. We want to encourage that enthusiasm and help them develop the confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills that the NHS will need in the years ahead. Helping young people discover what they could do is part of our commitment to creating happier, healthier futures.”
Sally Dixon, COO TeenTech said,
‘It was wonderful to see the students enthusiastically engaging with the activities provided by the Alder Hey teams which opened their eyes to the amazing range of roles in the NHS. The students’ ideas to make life better, simpler, safer or more fun were thought-provoking, imaginative and ethical.‘
Maggie Philbin, CEO TeenTech said,
‘Alder Hey is the perfect place to help young people understand both future careers across the whole health sector and areas where their fresh thinking might be welcomed. TeenTech Innovation days open both the eyes of teenagers to pathways they may never have considered but also those of health experts who are often astonished by the ideas shared by young students.’