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Youngsters step up to a brighter future

Earlier this week University Centre Peterborough and Peterborough Regional College hosted the second of their Children’s University events.

The afternoon sessions included video making workshops, activities on renewable energy and turbines, problem solving and public services, sport and physiology and computer games design.

The Children’s University is a national project which recognises the achievements of young people who take part in high quality out-of-hours learning activities. University Centre Peterborough, Peterborough Regional College and Anglia Ruskin University have joined forces to provide some fascinating interactive workshops for the young people.

Tomasz Hutchings, aged 12, attended the Science and the Environment session and said “I gained an understanding of wind turbines. I learnt what a hypothesis was. We also used model turbines to generate renewable energy. It was very enjoyable “

Natalia Hutchings, aged 9, attended the video making session and said ‘I looked at two types of video camera and we learnt how to make people small or large on screen. We learnt about point of view shots and perspectives. It was fun.’

The aim of the Peterborough Children’s University is to encourage learners to take part in a wide range of worthwhile out-of-school hours learning. Research by the University of Cambridge indicates that keeping a record and celebrating participation in these activities, through the Children’s University has a big impact on success at school.

Liz Knight, UCP Academic Director stated “The Children’s University is a great opportunity to engage young people in learning. We want to make learning fun and relevant. It is important that we inspire future generations and start to fill the nation’s skills gaps. UCP and PRC are behind the initiative and hope that more organisations around the city become engaged and more schools participate.”

The next Children’s University activity will take place on Wednesday 13th March in the Main Hall at Peterborough Regional College from 4 – 5pm. Children aged 7-14 years will be able to participate in a range of STEM activities including motion based quiz – IT moves, Stretching copper wire experiment, disassembly and reassembly of car components, archaeological dig, fast fit plumbing and the great raspberry pi bake off.

For more information or to book on to this event please contact University Centre Peterborough on 0845 1965750 or email ucpenquiries@anglia.ac.uk.