AN Inspiring Learning Festival returned for a second year at Springwood Park in Kelso last month.
Over 1,200 Primary 6 pupils and 1,200 S2 pupils from across the region coming together to take part in an exciting series of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) focused learning activities.
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The three-day festival, hosted by the multi-award winning Inspire Learning team, showcased the best of technology in education.
Primary 6 children were welcomed on day one of the festival and enjoyed a variety of STEM-focused workshops and activities, with S2 pupils joining on day two for an exciting day of STEM focused learning and STEM careers.
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Over the two days, young people took part in inspiring activities and demonstrations from industry leading partners, including Edinburgh University: Engineering, Chemistry and Data Science departments, XMA, Sphero, CGI, Borders College, Heriot Watt University, Skills Development Scotland, Developing Young Workforce Borders and UK Motorsports with Greenpower Race Cars.
Gillian Hamilton, Interim Chief Executive for Education Scotland said: “The Inspire Learning Festival is an amazing event. It’s been great to see so many young people learning through STEM and digital activities. I’ve been blown away with the engagement of the young people here today and the talent and enthusiasm of the staff and teachers”.
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Day three of the event provided an opportunity for educators to learn about the success of the Inspire Learning programme and to meet and discuss digital skills in education and business with representatives from across the UK, including Education Scotland, Jamf and Showbie and Apple.
Ollie Bray, Education Scotland’s Strategic Director Curriculum Innovation, Design and Pedagogy, complimented SBC on their “World-Class” digital learning programme during his opening keynote speech on day three of the festival.
Councillor Leagh Douglas, Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning added: “The Inspire Learning Festival is an absolutely fabulous event giving primary and secondary pupils across the Borders the opportunity to see and experience a number of STEM-related activities.
“Digital technology is something SBC have embedded in education through Inspire Learning, it’s really important for pupils to see how what they learn in the classroom plays out in the real world, and in a number of industries.
“By experiencing different areas we hope they will see there are valuable career opportunities - we want this day to be a really inspiring day, and I think, that’s exactly what it has been”.
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