Screams of excitement, wide eyes and life changing experiences was the order of the day during University of Northampton’s annual careers event attended by 10–18-year-olds from across Northamptonshire last week.
STEAM Northants is organised by the University’s Schools Engagement team and is a day of free activities, workshops, drop-in areas, and exciting, interactive shows that inspire young people to imagine themselves pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM).
Highlights included three planetariums, an indoor remote-controlled hot-air balloon and more than 80 exhibitors including Government services, engineering firms, health agencies and public services.
Natasha Mycawka, UON’s Widening Access Manager said with teachers, exhibitors and University staff and students, there would have been more than 5,000 people at the Waterside Campus for STEAM Northants and thanked all those who made it possible.
She added: “This really does feel like an effort by the whole county, not just my team and university academic and professional service staff, but also the teachers, chaperones, and a small army of bus drivers who make a day like this possible.
“They all help put the young people at the centre of the day, whether that’s a business taking the time to talk to a young person to spark their imagination of what might be possible in their future, or an academic sharing their experience and showing a young person the pathway to their dream job.”
A VIP lunch was attended by Northampton Mayor and UON alum Mike Hallam and Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry.
Northampton South MP Mike Reader was also there and after touring the campus, he said: “Events like STEAM Northants are exactly the kind of thing that can change the direction of a young person’s life. I spoke to students today who had never considered engineering, or computing, or the creative industries as a real option for them, and by the end of the morning, that had changed. That’s an extraordinary thing to witness.
“I grew up wanting to build things, but it took years before I understood what a career in engineering actually looked like. Days like this give young people in Northamptonshire that clarity much, much earlier, and that matters enormously, particularly for those who don’t have obvious pathways into these industries.”
James Allen, teacher at the Duston School said it was his first time at STEAM and added: “It’s quite vibrant, full of life and some really interesting creative ideas have been showcased today. My students enjoyed the music tent quite a lot with the opportunity to perform and to work with some professional musicians, it was a wonderful experience for them.
“Days like this are massively important because I think it makes them realise what opportunities are out there for them.”
11-year-old Theo Wentz from Greenoaks Primary Academy, said: “My whole day was actually very fun, the Planetarium was amazing, but the thing that actually inspired me the most was the welding.”
Jackson Clarke, 17 from Silverstone UTC said he was already working towards a career in Event Management but added: “The VR driving simulator was awesome and I spoke to the people at the RAF exhibit, it was really interesting, it’s not like a normal job and I’d never really thought about doing anything like that.”
Amit Kotecha, Early Careers Manager for Network Rail, said: “We’ve seen hundreds of young people come through the doors, talk to us, all very curious about STEM.
“There’s been some really brilliant questions, so we’ve had a great day, it’s one of those annual events that’s permanently in the diary.”
To find out more about how the University is supporting young people to decide on their futures, visit UON School Engagement (Widening Access) webpage.