Year 8 Design Challenge at Aldridge School

I ran a Design Challenge for Year 8 pupils from across the Black Country at Aldridge School in Walsall. Fourteen teams took part in a challenge to design a musical charity event. To give them ideas, we had a performance from the Lakeside Academy Steel Band from Telford and a talk from Emily Cooper from the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Teams then had two hours to devise the event, design a new steel band and choose a charity to support. We also got some finance into the brief by getting them to send ticket prices to generate funds.

All the teams came up with great ideas that they presented on stage to the judging panel of Rick Cosco (Steel Band Leader) Trevor Braidley (Birmingham Council Finance Manager) and Jacqui Pountney MBE (Walsall Equestrian Society).

Aldridge School managed to beat tough competition to win the trophy.

This Challenge will now become and annual event as it is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop their Teamwork, Communication, Creativity and Presentation Skills.

Abu Bakr Girl’s School Maths Challenge

A fantastic day at Abu Bakr Girl’s School in Walsall. We ran a Maths Challenge aimed at letting the pupils understand the importance of Maths in terms of school grades and future careers. One challenge involved them making a range of Maths shapes in 3d and then jazzing them up with a themes to present to the judging panel.

With only one hour to complete the activity from scratch, the girls used their teamwork and creativity skills to produce a range of brilliant ideas as shown below.

The Business Supporters and I enjoyed every minute of working with a group of talented and intelligent young people.

Scrapheap Challenge 2013

Winners of the Scrapheap Challenge 2013

Runners up in the 2013 Scrapheap Challenge

 

 

 

Police working with pupils at the 2013 Scrapheap Challenge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2013 Scrapheap Challenge took place on Friday at Aldridge School in Walsall. Nine teams took part in a challenge to design a work of art of a new product from end-of-life computer components.

They had to present their ideas on stage to a panel of business experts.

Bristnall Hall Academy were worthy winners and will host the challenge in 2014

One again, EBS Ltd recruited a number of businesses to support the event. These included AF Blakemore and Son Ltd, South Staffs Water, The Highways Agency, Bryant Construction, West Midlands Police and RePc Ltd. Thnak you all for making the event a success and sharing your knowledge and experience with the young people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police give Careers Advice

Bernie at Leamore Primary School supporting Lorenzo Cosco from Education Business Services Ltd

I love delivering my Get Real programme. The latest is at Leamore Primary School in Walsall.

Day One: Dream Jobs – Business and Social Skills – CV Writing

Day Two: Jobs in School – Apprentice Challenge – Employer Feedback

Day Three: Interview Skills – ICT Challenge

Pictured is PCSO Bernie Craze of West Midlands Police delivering a talk on her career. Year 6 loved it and gained in insight into law enforcement and possible consequences for getting into trouble.

A lot packed into a short time but very rewarding.