More than 250 young people have been inspired by the power of digital skills at an innovative learning day at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Year seven and eight students from dozens of schools across the region took part in a Teen Tech festival, getting to meet leading tech employers and experience the industry-leading equipment available to students at the university’s Digital Tech Learning Hub.
Delivered in partnership with the charity Teen Tech, the event saw hundreds of young visitors getting to grips with a range of technical challenges and digital activities, encouraging them to understand the opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) industries.
Activities and demonstrations on offer included everything from experimenting with aerodynamics in a wind tunnel, and trying a virtual reality (VR) game specially created for the event and set inside DMU’s Gateway building, using tech to make muesli, and learning about hacking and cyber security.
And a highlight of the day was the chance to get to grips with the high-tech equipment at DMU’s £6.5m Digital Tech Learning Hub, which has been created with funding support from the Office for Students (OfS).
This includes a Digital Creative Suite with motion tracking and image capture technologies which bridge the gap between computing and the creative technologies.
The Hub also offers students a cyber defence training network and a private cloud space, allowing learners to gain experience of real-world scenarios and gain advanced digital skills
Science Teacher Mags Keatman, said her group of 27 students from Lutterworth High School had thoroughly enjoyed the event. “They’ve really taken to the innovation challenge project,” she said.
“They loved coming up with their own ideas for that and are very keen to take them forward.”
She said the members of her party found the stock exchange simulator interesting while others enjoyed making, and eating, their own muesli.
Joseph Bruton from Lutterworth High said: “It's been really fun and really interesting learning all about what there is to do here, and all the things you can do after high school.”
Joseph, who plans to be either a vet or a scientist, said: “It’s all been really, really good to have all these activities and demonstrations. It’s been amazing.”
Emilia Swiatocha, from year eight at Derby Moor Spencer Academy in Derby said: “It’s all been very interesting.”
Emilia, whose favourite part of the day was the cyber security session, said she sees science as being equally open to girls and boys.
“It’s not like it’s for one gender or the other,” she said. “If you’re interested in it, then you’re interested, that’s it.”
Teen Tech is the brainchild of former TV presenter and DMU Honorand, Maggie Philbin and, as part of the day, Maggie was given a tour of the Digital Tech Learning Hub.
She said: “I feel so proud to stand here as a Leicester girl, just as I did in 2013 when I received an honorary degree from DMU. It’s great to be standing now, here in this Digital Technology Learning Hub.
“Ten years ago, I was asked to write a report on digital skills. Digital skills are cast across everything. They are so important, but often kicked into the long grass at school, and it’s frightening. So, to see this facility provide what is needed in all industries, as technology really does apply to all industries, is key to the future.
“I’m so proud to cut the virtual ribbon and declare this extraordinary hub open. DMU is such a go-getting university that gets students ready for tomorrow’s world.”
Another key aspect of Teen Tech was also had the chance to meet and learn from a number of potential future employers hosting stands with a range of activities and displays including Wincanton, PepsiCo, Caterpillar, Shark Ninja, and the British Army.
Professor Shushma Patel, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence at DMU, said: “The future is driven by digital innovation and so it is our job as a university to not only make sure our students have the skills employers need, but to make sure the access and opportunity to learn those skills is offered as widely and fairly as possible.”
Posted on Wednesday 12 March 2025