We are Hands-On, a student-led STEM outreach society within the University of Edinburgh. Our mission is clear yet ambitious: to inspire primary-age students to see the creativity, excitement, and potential in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and to support STEM learning for students within the university. From classrooms to lecture halls, our aim is to make STEM engaging and accessible for everyone.
We organise hands-on workshops for young learners across Edinburgh, helping ignite a love for science and technology early on. Simultaneously, we’re committed to supporting events that enrich STEM education for university students, partnering with groups to run impactful activities within the university. If there’s an event aimed at boosting STEM learning, we’re eager to assist in making it an engaging success. With a dedicated team of university volunteers, Hands-On has made a tangible impact, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers and contributing to a vibrant STEM community on campus.
Inspiring Through Innovation: AdaHack 2024
One of our most memorable moments this year was participating in AdaHack 2024, a beginner-friendly hackathon hosted by the Hoppers Society. Representing gender minorities in Informatics, the Hoppers Society focused on inclusivity, and the hackathon was ideal for encouraging beginner coders and innovators. This event wasn’t just about coding – it was about creating opportunities and bringing fresh perspectives to STEM.
Hands-On led one of the hackathon challenges, prompting participants to design an educational tool for primary-age students to learn STEM concepts. While the task was broad by design, the creativity it unleashed was inspiring. Our winning team developed a website that introduced biology in a virtual lab, complete with interactive mini-games for children. Another impressive entry allowed users to explore outer space, selecting different planets to learn more about them.
We were thrilled to present the winners with RS-sponsored prizes: tiny Arduino machine-learning kits, providing them with hands-on tools to continue their journey in tech. These projects reminded us of the power of open-ended creativity and the limitless ways STEM can be taught and learnt.
Weekly Workshops: From Fingerprints to Circuits
Beyond hackathons, we’ve been hard at work organising and leading workshops every week this semester, continually expanding our activity list to include something for every budding scientist. Our workshops are designed to be engaging, tactile, and, most importantly, fun. Some of our favourites include:
- Lego Balloon Cars: This classic activity remains a hit with children, introducing them to engineering concepts through the construction of balloon-powered vehicles.
- Forensics Workshop: A newer addition, this activity introduces students to forensic science basics, such as fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, and fibre examination. It’s perfect for those curious about the science behind crime scene investigations.
- Circuit Building: This activity focuses on understanding electricity and circuits. Students get hands-on experience in building basic circuits, igniting their interest in engineering and electronics.
Schools tend to be especially interested in workshops that cover engineering and technology topics, as these often require specialised equipment and knowledge that we’re delighted to provide. To keep the learning experience as engaging and impactful as possible, we maintain a low volunteer-to-student ratio, ensuring children have plenty of support while working through challenges and collaborating on solutions.
Feedback-Driven Improvement
Feedback is at the core of our approach to developing and refining our workshops. Teachers, students, and volunteers each provide essential insights, helping us evolve our activities to meet their needs. Teachers are invaluable in suggesting new topics for workshops and providing constructive feedback, ensuring our content aligns with curriculum goals and class interests. And, of course, the students themselves are our most important critics! Seeing them light up during workshops and hearing their excitement afterwards tells us we’re on the right track.
We also make it a priority to support our volunteers, equipping them with the training and tools they need to feel confident and enthusiastic. Their feedback helps us shape workshops they enjoy delivering, and their passion becomes part of the learning experience for the students.
Strength in Sponsorship: RS and Hands-On’s Growing Visibility
A big part of our success this year has been due to the generous support of RS. They’ve sponsored our team hoodies, which may seem like a small thing but have a big impact. The hoodies help us stand out as a team when we’re in schools, making it clear who the Hands-On volunteers are and giving us a sense of unity and professionalism. Plus, within the university, the hoodies increase our visibility, helping us attract more students who want to volunteer and get involved in our mission.
Regular, frequent workshops are also key to keeping our volunteers engaged. By offering many opportunities to participate, we create a consistent, active community where volunteers feel they’re making a real difference.
Conclusion: Growing with Grassroots Support, Inspiring a New Generation
Looking back on the strides we’ve made, Hands-On is making significant progress in building a network of passionate young minds eager to share STEM with the world. At the heart of our continued success is the incredible support of RS, who has been a steadfast sponsor for the past three years. Their commitment to our vision has helped us bring high-quality, engaging workshops to more schools and more students, amplifying our reach and impact.
Through their sponsorship, RS has empowered our team with resources, from essential equipment to the visibility-boosting hoodies that help us grow and attract new volunteers. As we expand our programming and outreach, we’re more grateful than ever for their role in helping us achieve our mission. Together, we’re fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in STEM for young students who might one day be tomorrow’s leading innovators. With support from RS and a dedicated community of volunteers, Hands-On is excited to keep inspiring the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.
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