Engaging students and teachers with high technology sectors
High Tech Futures is a package of programmes designed to encourage students to consider careers in three sectors at the cutting edge of science and technology:
Biotechnology and the life sciences including medical devices, surgical robotics and nanotechnology
Computer technology including artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing and semiconductors
High technology engineering including aerospace, automation and robotics, automotive, chemical engineering, defence, electrical, electronics, energy, instrumentation and control systems and transport
These sectors are converging and some of the most exciting developments are likely to be at the overlaps between the sectors. For example artificial intelligence has already begun strongly to impact the biotechnology industry which is heavily dependent on data storage, filtering, analysis and sharing. Indeed a number of the attendees at events held by Future Biotechnologists have been computer scientists working in AI and machine learning. Those attendees have attracted a lot of attention from students.
Whilst the three offerings will be delivered independently there will be times when we can have events or services specifically focused on the convergence of these sectors. For example, the coming together of synthetic biology with electronics which is paving the way to the development of next-generation electronic components and systems which is important to the development of new semiconductors for information processing and storage technologies.
Building on success
The programmes build on our highly successful Future Biotechnologists events held in schools in Holton (Oxfordshire), Cambridge, Pinner and Leytonstone focusing on the life sciences.
The event in Holton was described by by Rebecca Vaughan, Careers & Work Experience lead at Lord Williams's School as: "...the best external careers event I've attended (of which there have been quite a lot over 12 years!)."
The new programmers will take the highly successful Future Biotechnologists model and expand it into the computer technology and high technology engineering sectors.
Priority will be given to students in schools in areas with high levels of deprivation: for example, inner London, Stoke on Trent and Nottingham.
Regular events in the programmes will include carousel sessions, seminars for students and teachers with people in the local life science, technology and high technology engineering sectors, skills boot camps designed to equip students for careers in the sector, mentoring and apprenticeships. Online boot camps will focus on specific skills sets: for example robotics and AI.
Our mission statement
The core mission of High Tech Futures is to:
- Be the central point of connection in the United Kingdom between schools, colleges, higher education institutions and the life science, computer technology and high tech engineering sectors.
- Inspire students to consider a career in the sector.
- Help life science, computer technology and high tech engineering companies give back to the local communities in which they work and live.
- Widen access by ensuring that participating is always free for schools, colleges, institutes of higher education and participating companies.
- Where appropriate we will work with local authorities to engage hard-to-reach local communities.
Participation and access
A core part of our mission is to widen access to talent and opportunities in the sector to disadvantaged communities. Participation is for students aged 16-23 at non-selective state-funded schools and further education institutions. Participation is free for schools, colleges, universities and participating companies and organisations.
About High Tech Futures
High Tech Futures has been developed by BiotechMet. BiotechMet is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. Registered Charity Number 1165469. The charity aims to support the development of different free-to-access educational resources around the life sciences, medicine, computer technology and high tech engineering for a variety of audiences.
One of the projects it is supporting is the website WhatisBiotechnology.org. Launched in February 2013 the website gets over two million page views a year. It attracts visitors from around the world, including school students, policy makers, industry experts, scientists and financial investors. Many schools and universities across the world use the site as a major teaching resource.
High Tech Futures is open to all schools and students in higher education interested in attending to learn how the biosciences, computer technology and high tech engineering industries are open to everyone with a passion to make the world a better place. If you are interested in learning more contact Dr Lara Marks at lara@hightechfutures.org.