Sparking curiosity outside the classroom 

This is the fourth consecutive year that WMG has delivered sessions in partnership with the Ri, expertly led by Professor Margaret LowLink opens in a new window, Director of Outreach and Widening Participation, and Dr Phil JemmettLink opens in a new window, Widening Participation Coordinator and Faculty Public Engagement Lead (Science, Engineering and Medicine).

Professor Low’s relationship with the Ri reaches even further back, having established the Royal Institution Engineering Masterclass series at the University of Warwick in 2013.

Dr Jemmett was first to take to the stage with the question, “Where is engineering?” In a workshop designed to put the ‘E’ in STEM, students discovered how engineering is all around us and can be seen as the practical end of all the sciences, using programmable electronics and sensors to explore their surroundings. Students also built a model city, witnessing engineering in action and its benefits to people in real time.

Meanwhile, in her session ‘Digital Designs to Physical Products’, Professor Low explored how computers can turn digital designs into real-world products using the free computer programming language, TurtleStitch. The session allowed youngsters to unleash their creativity and develop their coding abilities, while gaining insight into the world of product manufacturing.

Reflecting on the experience, Professor Low remarked: “It’s always a pleasure to visit the Ri and support their inspiring science communication work by running several summer workshops. It’s so important that young people understand engineering and appreciate how it shapes the world around them.”

Dr Jemmett added: “The Ri is a prestigious home for science in the UK, with hundreds of years of history. We're proud to visit such a historic place and share science, engineering, and manufacturing content with young people. What makes it even more fun is delivering our workshops in the 'Demo Room', where props from the Ri’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES going back decades are on display. What a fun environment to present in!”

Fiona Evans, Family Programmes Manager at the Ri, echoes the value of the programme: “Our workshops are a vital way to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. They give young people hands-on experiences that help build confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills beyond the classroom.

“We rely on partnerships with organisations, such as WMG, whose expertise and support help us show young people real-world pathways into science and technology.”

WMG’s partnership with the Ri extends beyond holiday workshops. It will be the live-stream host for this year’s Ri CHRISTMAS LECTURESLink opens in a new window featuring Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, to be broadcast on the BBC and iPlayer in late December. Full details will be released soon. In the meantime, you can find out more about public engagement and widening participation activities at WMG by visiting the Outreach team’s webpages.