From May 16th to 18th, a select group of students from Collège Champittet joined 200 peers from across Europe at the NAE STEAM festival in Prague. Hosted by Prague British International School, this event was a melting pot of creativity and innovation, bringing together primary and secondary students from 10 Nord Anglia Education schools. The festival was structured around five core STEAM disciplines: electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and robotics, design and technology, programming, and artificial intelligence. This unique setup provided a platform for students to immerse themselves in hands-on workshops, fostering a spirit of collaboration and problem-solving. The organizers cleverly mixed students from different schools into teams, ensuring a blend of perspectives while keeping at least two students from the same school together to ease the transition. This approach not only encouraged teamwork but also highlighted the importance of diverse viewpoints in tackling complex challenges.
The students from Collège Champittet engaged in a variety of projects aimed at addressing real-world issues. One of the highlights was their work on sustainable food solutions, where they experimented with hamburgers made from different ingredients to assess environmental impact. Another project focused on designing eco-friendly housing, incorporating renewable energy sources and sustainable materials. Additionally, the students explored the potential of virtual reality to simulate natural disasters, offering a tool for emergency preparedness. They also delved into alternative energy by testing soil batteries, a simple yet innovative concept that can power light bulbs. The festival culminated with the creation of a large-scale anamorphic artwork, a testament to the students' creativity and teamwork. Beyond the workshops, the cultural tour of Prague's Old Town added a memorable touch to the experience, blending education with exploration. Feedback from participants and parents was overwhelmingly positive, with one parent noting the profound impact on their child's understanding of both technical and emotional aspects of life. The event not only showcased the students' ability to apply STEAM skills in practical scenarios but also reinforced the value of international collaboration in education.
