AS AN alternative to the traditional chocolate advent calendar, Aberdeen-based charity TechFest is preparing to launch its virtual advent calendar, 24 Days of STEM.
Following last year’s success, the calendar is back for 2022 and features 24 days of fun facts, activities, STEMspiration and jokes – all delivered daily via email.
Launching on December 1 and running the length of advent, TechFest has created the interactive calendar for use in the classroom and at home. Sponsored by the broad energy partner to the UK, Equinor, the calendar is a highly interactive, online resource designed to bring festive joy each day throughout December to young people, their teachers and anyone interested in science!
Jenny Taylor, TechFest festival manager, said: “Developed to be inclusive of all interests and skill levels, the calendar will help participants to develop science, design and coding skills, with more than a few festive surprises along the way. The 2021 calendar attracted thousands of participants and now we want to spread the joy of STEM learning even further. Each day in December a new STEM activity is unlocked and although content will vary, there will be something new and exciting to discover as we approach the end of 2022.”
Arne Gürtner, SVP for Upstream in UK and Ireland from Equinor, added: “At Equinor we push the boundaries of technology, innovation and imagination to create positive change for society. We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and technicians and hope that this virtual calendar will inspire minds far and wide. What more could you want from Christmas cheer than some science facts curated by the TechFest experts!”
Register here to receive your daily dose of STEM between December 1-24, 2022. Once signed up participants will receive a link to the online calendar. Weekend and holiday doors can be opened in bulk or at home – the choice is yours!
The STEM advent calendar is hosted on TechFest’s website and there is no cost to schools, families or friends. All teachers that sign up will be sent an extensive teachers’ guide resource pack outlining all the activities that will take place over the month, with the appropriate curriculum links, so that the advent calendar activities can fit seamlessly into any teacher’s lesson plan across December.
TechFest is an Aberdeen-based charity which aims to engage young people in the four main STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and encourage them to go on to follow a career which uses these skills by demonstrating that they are both fun and relevant in day-to-day life.
Each year, TechFest runs the highly popular TechFest festival which attracts tens of thousands of children and adults to a series of STEM-based events in and around Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, as well as a year-round programme of educational events for schools and young people.
For more information on TechFest’s work, visit www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk
