The rain didn’t dampen spirits as Sparsholt College welcomed almost 1000 Year 8 and 9 pupils and their teachers to its first ever Sparsholt Futures event! This exciting new event aims to open local school students’ eyes to the exciting careers open to them in science, technology and engineering in the land, environment, outdoor and animal sectors. Industry exhibitors and Sparsholt college experts and students showcased cutting edge tech across Sparsholt’s 450-acre countryside campus.
The school groups explored four different zones filled to the brim with different exhibitors and activities to find out all about how to get started on the road to success in their chosen fields. Activities ranged from using cameras to observe the nocturnal behaviour of animals to using Virtual Reality (VR) headsets to experience activities such as wall climbing and kayaking. Students were also able to meet Sparsholt alumni who have moved into successful careers in leading industries all over the world.
Sparsholt College Schools Liaison Co-ordinator, Chloe McClean, said: “The pupils got the chance to learn about technology and the potential careers that await in the land, environment and animal sectors. Hopefully they left the event feeling inspired knowing there’s all these things they can go off and do once they’ve left school.”
Westgate School STEM leader said: “The event has been a great day for our pupils. It has really opened up their horizons and their ideas of what STEM careers are. Sparsholt is giving pupils the opportunity to see what there is besides A Levels: the vocational opportunities and the careers that then lead on from it.”
Drones in the air, small robots on the ground and virtual reality mixed with hands-on experience – it was clear the young people visiting Sparsholt that the future in land-based industries is all about technology and science for a sustainable future!
College Principal Tim Jackson added: “For the first event of what I believe to be a ground-breaking new format it was very successful! We were delighted that so many of our exhibitor friends from the many professions and business we work with were able to come along and play such a key role in the day. The College staff and our exhibitors were so pleased to welcome the year 8 and 9 pupils and their teachers who all seemed very impressed with what they saw. We hope it was a memorable experience for all the pupils that came.”
Find out more about what you could achieve at Sparsholt College at our next Open Event, Thursday 20 June 2019. Register now for post 16 courses and for degree courses!