Delivering the next generation of scientists, technologists and high tech engineers
High Tech Futures is a package of free programmes designed to encourage students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to consider careers in three sectors at the cutting edge of science and technology:
- Biotechnology and the life sciences including medical devices and surgical robotics and nanotechnology
- Technology including artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing and semiconductors
- High technology engineering including aerospace, automation and robotics, automotive, defence, electrical, electronics, energy, instrumentation and control systems and transport
Together these three sectors generate more than £1.10 trillion in revenues a year for the UK and employ more than 3.64 million people. The technology and life science sectors, in particular, are amongst the most productive sectors in the economy in terms of turnover per employee.
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 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 are taking the highly successful Future Biotechnologists model and expanding it into the computer technology and high technology engineering sectors.
The three sectors are converging and some of the most exciting developments are likely to be at the overlaps between them, for example, in artificial intelligence, robotics, smart materials, nanoparticles and brain machine interface technologies.
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
The programmes will be evidence-led with regular surveys of students and teachers to explore their knowledge of and attitude to the sector.
A model aimed at disadvantaged students
We are focusing on students from the most deprived backgrounds throughout the country. And we understand that the greatest need and opportunities are amongst students from the most deprived backgrounds. We recognise that the greatest benefits to students will happen locally close to where students live and study.
Where possible our programmes are based on localised areas with high indices of need. Depending on local support and interest the initial programmes will be rolled out in areas including:
- inner London (Camden, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Islington, Newham, Paddington, Southwark)
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Nottingham
- Stoke-on-Trent, and
- Birmingham
Based on local skills needs
The nature and scope of each programme that we can deliver to deprived students in each area will depend on a number of factors:
- The needs for skills identified locally.
- The level of personal and volunteer support from local and national life science, high tech engineering and technology companies in those areas of deprivation.
- The funding available for each local programme.
Engaging and empowering students and teachers
Topics that we are discussing with partners (subject to availability of volunteers and equipment) include:
- The future of human health Bio-engineering, wearable technology and robotics: surgical robots, AI-powered diagnostics, prosthetic limbs with a sense of touch, rapid DNA sequencing and diagnostics, 3D printing of organs and tissues.
- Saving the planet Green technology and renewable energy: next-generation solar panels and batteries, engineering lab-grown meat, carbon capture technology and vertical farming robotics.
- The digital frontier AI, VR and how AI learns, building a simple AI model, experiencing engineering designs in VR.
- Smart cities, transport, infrastructure and defence Technology and future cities, drone technology, showing how sensors and data are transforming transport and housing. How the defence industries are dealing with the technology arms race.
- The technology behind the fun Engineering in entertainment.
These are some of the event formats that we are discussing with partners:
- Build your own technology Mini drone kits, simple robotics or coding a basic app.
- Hackathons and design challenges Teams solving real-world problems with mentorship from engineers, biotechnologists or technologists.
- Reverse engineering technology Take apart gadgets to understand how they work.
- VR/AR experiences Simulating working on a space station, inside a jet engine or designing a skyscraper.
- Live demonstrations 3D printing, robotic arms, drone technology or AI facial recognition in action.
- “How I got here” Talks and carousel sessions: People in the sectors share their personal journeys, especially those from similar backgrounds.
- “What’s next?” workshops Breaking down apprenticeships, university routes, and alternative paths into engineering, the life sciences and technology sectors.
Want to know more? See this deep dive into What, Why, Where (pdf).