HIAC students dive into robotics with STEM workshop

The future of technology is in the hands of today’s young people, and at Harris Invictus Academy Croydon (HIAC), they’re making sure their students have the skills, confidence, and inspiration to lead the way. On 10 March 2025, in partnership with LetsLocalise, they welcomed industry professionals for an exciting STEM workshop focused on robotics and coding.

Building the foundations for innovation

Ahead of the workshop, students received STEM kits and took on the challenge of assembling the robots in preparation for the event. This early exposure to robotics and engineering principles is key to building problem-solving skills.

It was the most fun I had in a while; it was really nice trying to get the robot to move on the path.

^{Alara, Student}

With 15 newly assembled mBot robots ready to roll, students embarked on a hands-on learning journey that brought computer science to life and helped to bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world innovation.

The event brought together a team of 15 volunteers – 10 from a leading technology firm and 5 from a charity. Together, they worked alongside HIAC’s Computer Science Team to play a crucial role in supporting the students.

The hands-on workshop

In the afternoon, 45 enthusiastic Year 8 students participated in ‘Vehicles of the Future’, an interactive workshop to explore robotics and programming. Led by instructors from CreativeHUT, the students experimented with coding and robotics to control their MBots, which allowed them to apply computational thinking in a fun and engaging way. 

This workshop demonstrated how hands-on learning can make abstract computing concepts more tangible, reinforcing key principles of teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. It also provided students with an invaluable opportunity to engage with professionals from the tech industry, giving them some insight into potential future careers. 

It was really good to see the students applying the knowledge they have in a more hands-on and practical approach. Workshops like these bring the knowledge they have alive.

^{Shantal, Teacher}

Strengthening computer science education across the Harris Federation

At the Harris Federation, we’re passionate about giving students the tools to thrive in a digital world, and that starts with an outstanding computer science education. We want to ensure that students not only understand computing theory but also have practical experience with cutting-edge technology. 

If you’re a Computer Science Teacher looking to make an impact, we’re always looking for talented teachers to join our growing network of academies. Take the next step in your career and inspire the next generation of tech leaders by exploring our latest Computer Science vacancies.