Students from the University of Birmingham spearheaded a fully online, people-focused hackathon, Hack Quarantine, which brought people together virtually from across the globe to use their skills to help combat the issues the world is facing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wait, what’s a hackathon?
It’s not about hacking into a system. A hackathon is an invention marathon bringing together people of all backgrounds and skill levels to build a project related to technology in a short space of time. It’s “hacking” a problem or a challenge together while learning from peers and the process itself.
Millennium Point has previously hosted several hackathons in our award-winning venue including HacktheMidlands, supported through our charitable trust.
What happened?
Taking place between 23rd March and 16th April, Hack Quarantine brought together more than 3,500 skilled learners and workers globally across science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The event was organised by local computer science students primarily from the University of Birmingham. Participants signed up via the developer’s blog and received updates, socialised and mentored each other primarily through Discord, a popular voice and messaging platform (VoIP) initially designed for online multiplayer gaming.
Participants from 153 countries joined forces in groups of up to four to create a variety of projects from apps to software that tackled obstacles across four “tracks”:
- Supporting people quarantined or at risk
- Tech and Health
- Remote working
- Improving awareness and behaviour
More than 250 projects and 130 demo videos were submitted to the Hack Quarantine team who awarded the best in each track among other accolades.
In addition to the hack itself, the team also delivered over 70 talks, workshops, games and even a pose party over streaming platform Twitch to educate and entertain participants throughout the marathon event. Initially watched by over 45,000 people, all of this has been archived and can be viewed over on their YouTube.
Who was behind it?
The event was organised by Birmingham resident and Leeds undergraduate Jacklyn Biggin and a University of Birmingham second-year undergraduate Will Russell.
“It was an incredible experience”, comments Will Russell, co-event organiser.
“With in-person hackathons postponed all over the world, we wanted to create an online community for people to continue to learn, build and share during this pressing time. We recognised there were a lot of problems surrounding COVID-19 and wanted to help the community build solutions to tackle them.”
Jacklyn and Will were supported by a team comprised primarily of students including PhD student and founder of local hackathon, HacktheMidlands, Tom Goodman and fifth year undergraduate and regional coordinator for oSTEM incorporated, Avery Cunningham both of whom joined the team as Science Leads.
Additionally, the global event was developed and delivered in partnership with more than 50 STEM organisations from across the world.
Will comments: “It was an inexplicable feeling seeing people from all over the world come together for a common cause. We really didn’t know what to expect with very little time to plan but were overwhelmed by the response from people and organisations and the sheer quality of submissions – it was incredible!”
West Midlands is a hotbed for STEM talent
Birmingham and the West Midlands is a hotbed for STEM talent. A joint deep dive report by Birmingham City University and the Regional Observatory surmised that Digital Technology alone will bring £2.2 billion to the West Midlands economy by 2025. A figure supported in no small way by the growth of an emerging youth market like the budding talent behind Hack Quarantine.
“We received incredible support and participants from a number of organisations and institutions in the West Midlands.” Comments Science Lead at Hack Quarantine and PhD student Tom Goodman. “These included HackTheMidlands, the BCS (through the Birmingham Branch), and the University of Birmingham.”
“One of the huge challenges we faced was getting people in STEM (beyond technology) involved in the event – unlike standard hackathons, we quickly realised a significant need to engage with scientists from across the spectrum.”
Organisations like HacktheMidlands, BrumSciComm, oSTEM incorporated and University of Birmingham’s own Institute of Microbiology and Infection supported the Hack Quarantine team in recruitment and promotion in the wider scientific community.
“Through the support of these fantastic local organisations, we were able to mobilise a swathe of motivated and driven scientists, programmers, engineers, and others, to get involved with the event. We really wouldn’t have been able to do quite so much without the supportive and motivated STEM community here in the West Midlands.”
What happens now?
All submissions can be found on the devblog which is now being used as a platform for governments and frontline organisations worldwide to utilise.
Any organisations wishing to use or build-upon the projects submitted as part of the hackathon can contact the organisers or developers directly through the website.
This blog was written as part of Millennium Point’s charitable objectives we’re publishing stories to highlight individuals and organisations who support the growth of Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the region. If you have a story you would like us to cover, please get in touch.
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Over the last 12 months, we have visited numerous recipients of our Millennium Point Charitable Trust Small Grant programme to see how they are progressing with their respective projects.
Our visit to Montgomery Primary Academy school in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, proved particularly insightful and interesting.
The school welcomed grant recipients The Play House, a leading theatre-in-education charity making participatory drama for children and young people in the midlands.
Daughters of Invention
The Play House delivered their interactive theatre project “Daughters of Invention”, funded through a grant from the Millennium Point Charitable Trust in 2019.
“Daughters of Invention” is an educational performance based on engineering history. The project brings real-life engineers together with actors and storytelling, designed to raise young peoples aspirations and inspire interest in engineering.
Women in Engineering
In particular, the project seeks to inspire girls into engineering and elevate the work of female engineers. The Play House brings to life the nineteenth-century Birmingham-based engineer Sarah Guppy, who, alongside being a prolific inventor was also the first woman to patent a bridge.
A unique experience
This unique experience proved beneficial to the pupils, who enjoyed a different sort of lesson, thanks to the acting skills of Play House Head of Programmes Juliet Fry and her team.
Over £400,000 grant funding has been used across a variety of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related activities, from creating dedicated resource rooms at schools, funding learning clubs, running activity programmes and organising careers fairs encouraging girls into STEM.
We would like to thank the staff at Montgomery Primary Academy for being so welcoming to Millennium Point and our Interim CEO Abbie Vlahakis.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
250 students from 22 schools and colleges across the West Midlands descended on our landmark venue, Millennium Point, last month in Birmingham to take part in an eclectic festival of employment workshops and careers activities, designed to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) opportunities.
What is it?
Funded by our charitable trust and delivered by social enterprise Ahead Partnership; one of several recipients of the 2019/20 Millennium Point Charitable Trust’s Small Grants Programme, #STEMFestWM saw local businesses join forces to address the STEM skills deficit and help to maximise the sector’s potential to incite regional economic growth.
The second hugely successful festival was hosted in our multi-award-winning venue over 3 days and attracted an exceptional turnout of young people and employers, so much so that the festival was oversubscribed with requests from school and college to attend.
What happened?
Supported by numerous reputable businesses from across the West Midlands including PwC, InterCity Technology and Pinsent Masons, #STEMFestWM provided local employers with the opportunity to engage directly with secondary school and post-16 students, aiding their employees’ personal development whilst raising awareness of careers and opportunities within the STEM sector.
The first day of activity saw over 150 female Year 8 students come together at Millennium Point for the #GirlTechWM event to learn more about the Digital and Technology sectors across rotational mini-workshops run by a host of local employers.
The last day of activity proved most popular, with around 180 Year 9 and 10 students partaking in speed-networking style workshops and interactive careers panels. Post-16 students were also invited to visit PwC, InterCity Technology and Pinsent Masons offices throughout the week, to gain first-hand of experience of what it’s like to work for the organisations involved.
Addressing the regional skills gap
In a region where 89% of STEM businesses face difficulty recruiting the necessary talent, the extremely high demand from West Midlands schools demonstrated the appetite for careers activities focused on STEM roles amongst young people.
We’ve talked previously about the importance of addressing the STEM skills gap in the West Midlands and how we are facilitating change through supporting wonderful partners such as Ahead Partnership.
Following the first day of #STEMFestWM, 73% of students that attended agreed that they would now consider a career in the digital and tech sectors – which are projected to bring in more than £1.3bn alone to the West Midlands by 2025.
This 3-day festival follows in the wake of last year’s event — also funded and hosted by Millennium Point.
“A clear need for this type of initiative”
Stephanie Burras CBE, Chief Executive of Ahead Partnership, said: “We are very proud of the success of our second STEM festival in the West Midlands.”
“The growing scale of this event demonstrates a clear need for this type of initiative in the region, and it is our mission to equip young people with better awareness of and access to the fantastic opportunities available to them.”
“The STEM sector has significant potential to add huge value to the West Midlands economy, and with exciting milestones for the region approaching, such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the number of roles out there and the pressure to fulfil these is only going to increase. As such, we are proud to be supporting the region’s growing skills demand in a way that is inclusive and accessible to young people.”
(Above) We catch up with Stephanie Burras, Chief Executive of Ahead Partnership for a closer look at what they do and the funding they received from us in 2019.
Abigail Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, said: “2018/19 marked an incredibly successful first year for our Small Grants Programme and we are delighted to have been able to build on this activity in 2019/20, with a programme of STEM activities which is even bigger and more diverse in scope.
“Our region has great potential for growth in the STEM sector, but we are facing concerning difficulties in meeting the sector’s skills demand. Ahead Partnership’s work is aligned with our own ambitions to enhance STEM learning and career aspirations in the West Midlands, and we’re delighted to fund this hugely worthwhile project that has seen so many young people leave engaged and inspired.”
Katherine Bond, National Schools Engagement Manager at PwC, also added: “The STEM sector in the West Midlands is becoming one of our most important industries and this festival is a fantastic way for young people to become more aware of upcoming opportunities, whilst helping us to future-proof our own workforce pipeline.
“This event has grown in size and scale this year, along with the skills demand of our region, and so we’re proud to have worked with Millennium Point Charitable Trust, Ahead Partnership and the other businesses involved as part of this incredibly important initiative once again, which will not only benefit our sector, but more importantly, our young people.”
Footage from the festival was recorded by media students from South & City College and shared across social media. The festival forms part of a busy calendar of skills initiatives delivered by Ahead Partnership across the country that seek to raise young people’s career aspirations, help businesses acquire sector-fulfilling talent and develop young people’s social capital.
Any employers interested in finding out how they can support this work can find out more by contacting Ahead Partnership on 0300 124 0496.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Staff at Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, have been putting their design technology equipment and technical knowledge to good use to produce crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff and key workers at several hospitals and nursing homes across Greater Birmingham and the Black Country.
What are they doing?
Staff with the help of several year 7 students have produced 480 mask clips and 32 face visors using materials available. Machines used to produce the vital protective equipment have primarily been a laser cutter. Additional components have been produced using a 3D printer purchased using the grant funding awarded to the school in 2018 by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust as part of our annual STEM grants initiative.
This initiative by the school comes as a response to growing national concerns over insufficient supplies of PPE, crucial to protecting staff on the front line of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Visors produced at the school using equipment funded by Millennium Point.
Headteacher at the school, Dominic Robson comments: “These are very challenging times for our health service.
“Design Technology staff at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Skye Bowen and Andrea Gregory, answered the call to use their skills to create PPE for our front-line NHS workers.”
“They want to do even more and that’s why we are appealing for support from the business and wider community.”
Where is it going?
The PPE equipment already produced has been delivered to Good Hope Hospital; Sandwell Hospital, City Hospital, New Cross Hospital, Heartlands Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital; and are currently being used by staff treating patients.
More support needed.
Several hospitals and nursing homes have come forward to request PPE equipment from the school. The former grant recipient is also considering expanding the range of items they are producing depending on the materials they can acquire.
The school has received donations of materials from several generous sources including families of students, John Wilmott School, Fosco Hayes Hurdley and a former pupil, who has provided enough materials for an additional 500 visors.
Offers of manufacturing support from Fairfax Academy, Arthur Terry School and Plantsbrook School as well as staffing support from John Wilmott School. However, there is still much more support needed.
Head of Design Technology at the school, Skye Bowen, comments: “We have been overwhelmed with the offers of PVC from the community and the support from parents and fellow institutions.
“To keep up with demand we are now asking for donations of Polypropylene (0.75mm)”
Interim CEO of Millennium Point, Abbie Vlahakis comments: “We are moved by the actions of Bishop Vesey Grammar School to help protect our local key workers during this crucial time.
“We are delighted that in some small way our grant funding has helped equip the school to facilitate such an amazing use of their DT resources.”
“Now we urge local business leaders and the community to join us in supporting this fantastic initiative.”
For further information or to offer your support to school please contact Mrs S Bowen [email protected]
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Our latest scholarship competition ended in style in mid-March with a fantastic live final following a record-breaking year for applications.
What’s the Scholarship?
Our Millennium Point Scholarship is an annual competition open to students across the West Midlands. It provides one lucky winner with a fully funded undergraduate degree and opportunities and support for up to five finalists.
This year we received more applications than ever before from students across the region looking to take their first big steps in their careers and tackle the big issues facing the west midlands in the years to come.
“All five finalists were incredible”
A live final event at Millennium Point, held in our 354-seat Auditorium, marked the culmination of this year’s competition, with five finalists each presenting on local issues such as affordable housing, cyber harassment, fake news and battling flooding. You can see a round-up of the event below:
Five business leaders from across Birmingham’s business community were selected to assess the finalists, giving feedback on their presentation style and content.
Winner Shennice Talburt, currently working as a paralegal, will now study Real Estate at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, with her degree paid for by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust.
Shennice, from Birmingham, said: “I am so proud to have been selected as the winner of this year’s Millennium Point Scholarship. All five finalists were incredible, with great ideas and the drive and determination to carry them out.”
“This is something I have kept quiet and focused on by myself, so it will be some surprise for my family when I tell them. I think the housing crisis is a major issue that needs creative thinking and I want to bring new ideas to the table and help the millions of people who are suffering as a result of this situation.”
What happens next for our winner and finalists?
While the winner will enrol on an undergraduate course at Birmingham City University, the other four finalists will receive ongoing support towards their careers including coaching, mentoring and industry work experience provided through Millennium Point.
Abigail Vlahakis, CEO at Millennium Point, said: “The quality of our finalists has blown me away, they are all so inspiring.
“I would like to congratulate them all, but especially Shennice, whose ideas really shone a light on possible solutions to one of the biggest issues in the region.”
“Exciting, valuable and impactful initiative”
Hanifah Shah, a judge in the final and Executive Dean of Birmingham City’s University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, said: “The drive, determination and desire to change society for the better through the application of engineering and technology is incredibly strong in all five finalists.
“We’re delighted that Shennice will be joining the Faculty of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment later this year with the Millennium Point Scholarship and look forward to working with the runners up as well.
“Birmingham City University extends its thanks to all involved in this exciting, valuable and impactful initiative and event.”
This project is one of several ways our organisation is supporting the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the region.
More than £5 million in profits from the commercial activity of our multi-award-winning Birmingham venue and landmark public building, Millennium Point, is invested by our Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region. For more information, please see our charity page here.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
We’re delighted to announce the latest recipient of the Millennium Point Scholarship, which fully funds an undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University.
Shennice Talburt, currently working as a paralegal, will now study Real Estate at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, with her degree paid for by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust; is aiming to help solve the UK’s housing crisis – starting with the West Midlands – after impressing judges and a live final audience to win the prize.
More than 160 applications were received from across the West Midlands for this year’s scholarship programme, which is in its sixth year, representing a new record.
A group of five business leaders from across Birmingham’s business community were selected to assess the finalists, who presented their ideas for the future to a live crowd.
Winner Shennice, from Birmingham, said: “I am so proud to have been selected as the winner of this year’s Millennium Point Scholarship.
“All five finalists were incredible, with great ideas and the drive and determination to carry them out.
“This is something I have kept quiet and focused on by myself, so it will be some surprise for my family when I tell them.
“I think the housing crisis is a major issue that needs creative thinking and I want to bring new ideas to the table and help the millions of people who are suffering as a result of this situation.”
More than £5 million in profits from the commercial activity of the multi-award-winning Birmingham venue Millennium Point is invested by its Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region.
The scholarship programme is a key part of this charitable calendar.
While the winner will enroll on an undergraduate course at Birmingham City University, the other four finalists will receive ongoing support towards their careers including coaching, mentoring and industry work experience provided through Millennium Point.
Abigail Vlahakis, CEO at Millennium Point, said: “The quality of our finalists has blown me away, they are all so inspiring.
“I would like to congratulate them all, but especially Shennice, whose ideas really shone a light on possible solutions to one of the biggest issues in the region.”
Hanifah Shah, a judge in the final and Executive Dean of Birmingham City’s University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, said: ““The drive, determination and desire to change society for the better through the application of engineering and technology is incredibly strong in all five finalists.
“We’re delighted that Shennice will be joining the Faculty of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment later this year with the Millennium Point Scholarship and look forward to working with the runners up as well.
“Birmingham City University extends its thanks to all involved in this exciting, valuable and impactful initiative and event.”
The scholarship is an annual competition to encourage young people in the West Midlands to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at higher education level by fully funding their tuition fees alongside other opportunities provided through the Millennium Point Charitable Trust. If you are interested in knowing more then please visit our page here.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
The judging panel for the Millennium Point Scholarship, which will award one student a fully funded degree at Birmingham City University, has been named.
The five-strong panel will be headed by Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE), which is to host the winning student on one of its 20+ undergraduate courses.
Prof Shah will be joined by Katie Burnell, Account Manager at consulting and infrastructure support services giant Amey Consulting PLC; Faye Pressly, Chief Operating Officer at technology contractor Vanti; Tim Kay, Sector Lead, technology and media at professional services firm KPMG; and Martino Giaquinto, Partner and specialists construction and engineering lawyer at legal firm, Mills & Reeve.
The panel will hear from five finalists, all of whom are vying for a life-changing scholarship, at a live event at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, on March 13.
The event will see each of the finalists presenting their insights on regional issues such as low-income housing, transport and safety online in a Dragons Den style pitch to judges before the panel selects a winner.
Abbie Vlahakis, Interim CEO at Millennium Point, said: “Following a record-breaking number of applications for the Millennium Point Scholarship this year, we have gathered a stellar judging panel to oversee the final stage.
“The strength of the members demonstrates the impact this scholarship can have, not just in terms of the free degree, but the contacts we will help our winner to make as they progress through university to the workplace.”
More than £5 million in profits from the commercial activity of the multi-award-winning Birmingham venue is invested by its Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region.
The BCU Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment covers more than 20 different courses ranging from Civil Engineering to Computer Games Technology and Film Production Technology.
While the winner will enrol on an undergraduate course at BCU, the other four finalists will receive ongoing support towards their careers including coaching, mentoring and industry work experience provided through Millennium Point.
For tickets to the live final, visit this link.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
A grant funding pot of more than £400,000 is now open to schools, charities and not-for-profit organisations across the West Midlands as part of a major Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education initiative.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust has opened its latest Small Grants Programme for applications, with up to £20,000 available for individual applicants.
Profits from the commercial activity of the multi-award winning Birmingham venue is invested by its Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region.
Previous grant recipients have used the funding to create dedicated resource rooms, fund learning clubs, run activity programmes and organise careers fairs encouraging girls into STEM.
Applications are set to close on February 14th 2020 with bosses hoping to see applications increase from last year, when the Programme was introduced.
Abigail Vlahakis, Interim CEO at Millennium Point, said: “We had an extremely positive and successful debut year for our Small Grants Programme.
“STEM roles are the jobs of the future in the region and we are striving to play a key role in ensuring young people from the West Midlands will be in pole position to take those roles – most of which have yet to be conceived.
“The Grants Programme gives a chance for those young people with a passion for STEM learning the chance to take that further, opening up opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
“We really want to open up STEM learning to groups who have typically been somewhat marginalised by these industries, so we want to see applications coming from far and wide.
“I would like to wish all applicants the best of luck and can’t wait to see the unique ideas they put forward.”
Over recent years, several reports have been published identifying Birmingham and the West Midlands as the centre for Science and Innovation outside of London, marking STEM as the key to economic growth in the region.
However, the nationwide STEM skills gap means that the region currently has a shortfall of 173,000 skilled workers as 89% of STEM businesses struggle to recruit with a majority of high skilled roles being left unfulfilled.
Until recently there was also a rapid decline in interest in STEM subjects at school, meaning less people would be entering training to eventually take up these jobs.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust was recently awarded “Third Sector Organisation of the Year” at the Birmingham Post Business Awards and featured for their unique charitable business model in this years ‘Innovation 50” report produced annually by law firm Mills & Reeves.
To apply for a Millennium Point small grant, please click here.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust will award £2,000 to one school or college in the West Midlands as part of our 2020 scholarship programme.
The school or college that provides the most applicants for our 2020 scholarship programme will be awarded £2,000 to enhance their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) curriculum. The incentive forms part of a wider campaign to promote the initiative, which received a record number of applications in 2019.
How does it work?
All you have to do is encourage your students aged 17+ to apply for the scholarship programme. As part of the application, students will tell us what school or college they’re applying from and we’ll keep track of the number of applicants form each school or college in the West Midlands. Once the application window is over we’ll tally up the scores and award the school or college that provided the most applicants £2,000 to be spent on enhancing their STEM curriculum.
You can visit our resource page to learn more about the competition and download promotional material to share within your school or college. You can also request a promotional pack to be sent directly to you which contains posters and leaflets, or a visit from our team by getting in touch with us on [email protected]
What’s the scholarship?
Open now until 31st January 2020, the Millennium Point Scholarship pays for one young person’s undergraduate tuition fees at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Now in its sixth year, the competition is open to young people aged 17+ in the West Midlands. It’s a two-stage competition designed to build confidence and showcase rising talent in the region, with a live final held at Millennium Point in March. Finalists are given skills development workshops to build their confidence, leadership and public speaking skills as part of the competition, as well as opportunities to meet employers and build their own networks in their chosen industry. The competition was won in 2019 by, then 17-year-old, Laura Avis from Bourneville College. Laura is now in her first year at the faculty studying a BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology, and in a recent interview urged young people “Don’t be scared, just apply!”.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent or know a school or college, this is an opportunity not to be missed! Head on over to this page for more information and resources to get you started.
Students looking to apply can start their application today by visiting millenniumpoint.org/scholarship
We’re a landmark public building and award-winning events and conference venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which promote the growth of STEM and education within the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom. For more information on our charitable work, please visit our charity page. You can follow Millennium Point on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram with @millenniumpoint.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learning across the West Midlands has been given a major boost after a charitable trust issued more than £410,000 of grant funding.
Grants of up to £20,000 from the Millennium Point Charitable Trust’s Small Grants Programme have been issued to 34 schools, charities and not-for-profit organisations in a bid to impact how STEM is perceived and promoted in the region.
Over recent years, several reports have been published identifying Birmingham and the West Midlands as the centre for Science and Innovation outside of London, marking STEM as the key to economic growth in the region.
However, the nationwide STEM skills gap means that the region currently has a shortfall of 173,000 skilled workers as 89% of STEM businesses struggle to recruit with a majority of high skilled roles being left unfulfilled.
Until recently there was also a rapid decline in interest in STEM subjects at school, meaning less people would be entering training to eventually take up these jobs.
The 2018/19 grant program will aid the purchase of new equipment, events, after-school clubs and more to enhance STEM learning and increase appetite for relevant careers in the West Midlands.
Abigail Vlahakis, CEO at Millennium Point said: “2018/19 marked an incredibly successful first year for our Small Grants Program and we are delighted to hear that our recipients are starting to put their money to good use.
“From early child development in schools to business development and community engagement, we are aiming to make a positive, tangible impact across the West Midlands in how STEM is perceived and promoted.
“We are looking forward to working with this years recipients as they make the most of their grant funding and of course, we are excited to see the results of their work.”
Millennium Point is a multi-award-winning venue, charity and landmark public building in the eastside of Birmingham City centre.
Profits from its commercial activity is invested through the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands region.
Abigail said: “Our charitable outputs are determined by our commercial profits, which means the more businesses spend money with us, whether it’s through our venue or our retail spaces, the more we can make a positive impact on the region.”
Notable projects to arise from this year’s grants include a contribution towards the funding of a week-long STEM Festival organised by the Ahead Partnership, while Trinity High School will create a STEM room.
Many schools are also using their grant to upgrade facilities or increase access to STEM resources for pupils.
Applications for this year’s Millennium Point Small Grants program are set to open in December, with details to be announced by Millennium Point over the coming months, with the aim of exceeding the £410,000 issued for the 2018/19 program.
For more details please visit millenniumpoint.org.uk/small-grants or call 0121 202 2200.
