Digital Hub launched at The Stoop

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) in partnership with The Harlequins Foundation launched a new digital hub based at the home of Harlequins.
The Digital Hub, which is being piloted over the next twelve weeks, provides students from a range of schools including the Harlequins Foundation’s own HITZ programme and St Phillip’s School the opportunity to explore core STEM concepts in an engaging and accessible way.

Using a range of cutting-edge technology including green screens, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and Lego Education sets, students will learn to design, build and code different technological solutions to overcome real life challenges.

The current pilot, lead by OHC&AT’s Digital School team will ascertain individuals’ capabilities and interests and design future sessions in order to maximise their engagement. There is lots for students to look forward to, including a Lego Education session, where students will build a robotic hand and programme it to grab, lift and place objects.

Andy Carpenter, Harlequins Foundation Manager, said: “The Digital Hub is a great opportunity for students to explore a range of core curriculum topics through interactive workshops. These skills can easily transfer into a range of different subjects and careers and hopefully the sessions will inspire young people to continue engagement with essential STEM subjects.

Karen Cunningham, Project Manager for OHC&AT, said: “Digital Technology is an integral part of improving opportunities and outcomes of our pupils and students. As education, work and life become more intrinsically dependent on digital skills, we need to ensure that we are using new and innovative ways to engage and deliver a curriculum that meets these demands.”