Year 10 Future Leaders Dive into STEM at University of Sunderland
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Year 10 Future Leaders from Excelsior Academy enjoyed an action-packed STEM Day hosted by the University of Sunderland in partnership with Villiers Park. The event offered an exciting glimpse into university life and the world of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Guided by the university’s enthusiastic Student Ambassadors, pupils began the day with a campus tour, experiencing first-hand what student life is like. They then took part in three dynamic, hands-on workshops designed to spark curiosity and creativity:
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3D Scanning Workshop: Students explored cutting-edge scanning technology, learning how it works, its possibilities and limitations and its role in modern digital workflows.
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Robotics Demonstration: Pupils met Marshall the robot dog and his companions, discovering the latest developments in robotics and the challenges engineers face in this exciting field.
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Zumo Wars Tournament: In a thrilling finale, students programmed Arduino-controlled mini-robots to battle in a sumo-style arena. They experimented with coding, sensors and strategy, competing through multiple rounds to crown the Ultimate Zumo Wars Champion.
“I was so impressed by the students’ curiosity and maturity. They asked great questions, embraced every challenge including the RoboWars and showed fantastic teamwork, even helping me navigate the Metro. Their energy and eagerness to learn made the day a joy.”
- Gemma Hepples, Year 10 Teacher
The day was a perfect blend of discovery, innovation, and fun, leaving pupils inspired by the possibilities of technology and university life.
