STEM Futures is a residential educational experience that illuminates the art of the possible to create the science and technology entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Our first STEM Futures Lab, located in the South West of England, UK, will invite students aged 14-16yrs from around the globe to learn about the most exciting aspects of science and technology - and where it can take them (see also STEM Futures International below).
Set in an inspiring, thought provoking and stimulating environment, students will participate in a series of workshops with the STEM Futures principles at their core - Innovation, Creativity, Collaboration and of course, Fun!
"The ideal education of today is not so different from the ideal education of the Renaissance. It provides a robust base of knowledge and instills a specific attitude: open minded, willing to embrace constant change, and forever hungry to learn." Benno C. Schmidt, trustee and interim CEO and President, Kauffman Foundation
Students will be given access to high tech kit like 3D printers, sensors and robotics, and explore how these technologies can help us tackle the big challenges facing society today; and most importantly - tomorrow, years into the future. We want to help inspire the Makers and Entrepreneurs of tomorrow - that part of society that wants to Make something happen!
In a new Kauffman Foundation sketchbook video titled “Make It Happen,” Tim O’Reilly, founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media, recalls the launch of Make Magazine and Maker Faire, and says that hobbyists playing with new technologies have often led the way into hotbeds of a new industry.
As a start up, we are working towards opening our first STEM Futures Lab in late 2012, so opportunities are available for the corporate sponsorship of schools' attendance, and we are already accepting expressions of interest from schools across the UK.
The STEM Futures residential concept is truly unique - and massively exciting. Read more around the website, and get in touch to learn more!
The STEM Futures Lab will be an inspirational place to be, to work and share ideas!
STEM Futures International
With the rapid evolution of communication technologies, the barrier that geographical distance once posed to technological progression is ever more diminished. Our longer term goals are well aligned to this as it is our aim to have a Futures Lab in a number of cities across the globe, creating STEM Futures International. Students in the UK Labs would have the opportunity to communicate with students in our sister Labs across the other side of the world, working collaboratively to deliver projects over a week long period. This would not only open their eyes to the process of collaboration, but also to the threats and opportunities a globalised world offers. We would also provide UK schools the opportunity to attend STEM Futures schools abroad, providing an innovative format to the international school trip and vice versa, accepting international students in the UK futures labs.
We live in a time punctuated by rapid cultural change in an increasing complex society. To succeed in the globalised world of future years, education today must enable students to understand and develop a respect for this diversity. The development of this appreciation for diversity will very much be an aim of STEM Futures International.
We are particularly interested in Innovation Cities in both leading and emerging Economies – particularly the US, Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as other EU countries.