Our Strategic Partnership with Imperial College London has supported the Makerspace’s two flagship programmes – the Maker Challenge and the Proto-Maker Challenge – as well as community initiatives and careers support for nine years. As the partnership is coming to an end, we held an event at the Invention Rooms in White City on 17 September, celebrating the impact the programmes have had on local young people.
At the event, Professor Maggie Dallman, Associate-Provost Societal Engagement at Imperial said:
“When we talk about nine years of funding, we are really talking about nine years of opportunity – the opportunity for young people to be curious, to experiment, to overcome setbacks and to discover that they have the skills and agency to develop ideas that improve the world around them.”
As well as funding, we’ve been able to offer work placements and site visits for young people through our relationship with Berkeley Group.
Sally Dickinson, Head of Berkeley Foundation, commented:
“At the Berkeley Foundation, we believe that where a young person starts in life should never determine what they are able to achieve. We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not always equally available.
This space is all about bright ideas, and what stays with me are the stories. The creativity displayed in this room is remarkable. Ideas that tackle genuine challenges, thoughtful design processes, technical skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
Many Berkeley colleagues have contributed their time and knowledge through volunteering, mentoring, site visits and careers support. I’d like to extend the Foundation’s thanks to all who have provided experiences that help bring learning to life and show young people the many opportunities available to them.”
The event was attended by staff from both Imperial and Berkeley as well as current and past participants of the programmes. It included tours of the Makerspace as well as showcase of stories of young people who have been through the programmes and the impact they have had on them.
Aaron Vidal completed the Maker Challenge in 2019. He went on to a degree apprenticeship with Airbus and Southampton Solent University, graduating with a first in Electronic Engineering, before joining Imperial for a Master's in Design Engineering last year. At the event, he shared a copy of his personal statement which included a long passage about what he had achieved and learnt through the Maker Challenge.
Reflecting on his experience, he said:
“Having access to these resources at the Makerspace, you come to understand that the only limit is your imagination. I attribute where I am now, in no small part, to my experiences on programmes like these. Which is why I personally aim so stay within STEM outreach to pay forward the opportunities I had to a new generation of young people.”
The partnership has given over 2,000 young people access to world-class facilities, expert guidance, innovative technology and hands-on learning experiences, enabling them to develop creativity, problem-solving, resilience and self-belief, alongside STEM skills.