Year 9 and 10 pupils recently attended an exciting event hosted by Schneider Electric in Plymouth, part of a global initiative to encourage more women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
During the visit, pupils met Aleks, Steve and the team behind Schneider’s latest Wiser Smart Home products. They enjoyed a fascinating factory tour, following the journey from raw materials arriving at the warehouse through manufacturing, assembly, and testing, right up to the finished products boxed and ready for dispatch. This hands-on experience was particularly valuable for those studying Design and Technology GCSE, as it linked directly to upcoming exam topics.
The day also featured an EDT Challenger workshop, where pupils used miniature wheeled robots called Ozobots to code and create routes through a virtual town or city. They programmed the robots to navigate autonomously, control speed, and even perform tricks—bringing coding to life in a fun and interactive way.
After lunch, pupils faced a real-world challenge: designing a new product to complement Schneider’s existing range. Working in teams, they brainstormed, designed and developed their ideas before pitching to a panel of employees from marketing, engineering and finance. Their creativity and innovation impressed the judges, and each pupil left with a well-deserved goodie bag.
This event was an incredible opportunity to explore STEM careers, develop practical skills, and experience the world of product design and technology first-hand.
Article written by Mr Lawrence, Design Technology
