UEL hosts hands-on STEAM day for local pupils

The University of East London (UEL) recently welcomed pupils from Eden Girls School in Waltham Forest for a day of hands-on STEAM learning at its Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS).

The programme, delivered in partnership with East London Business Alliance (ELBA), combined practical activity with inclusive learning, enabling students to engage confidently with technology, creativity, and future pathways.

Students rotated through small-group sessions exploring different areas of the centre:

• Maker Space: Hands-on digital fabrication, moving from 2D design to 3D models using Tinkercad, a web design app, alongside 3D printing demonstrations.
• Immersive Technologies: An introduction to Meta 3D design, showing how virtual environments are created and applied across university courses and industry.
• Inclusion and Accessibility: A British Sign Language taster at Dialogue Café, exploring communication, accessibility, and inclusive approaches. 
   

The day concluded with discussions around progression, further education, apprenticeships, and opportunities available through the university’s STEAM Community Support Centre.

Robert de Jong, Director of RDCS, said, 

It’s inspiring to see young people exploring technology and creativity with such curiosity and confidence. Experiences like this help students connect learning to future careers and demonstrate how the University of East London can play an active role in supporting local skill development and inclusion.”

The visit highlights the importance of early engagement between schools and higher education, helping students build confidence, broaden their understanding of STEAM subjects, and see themselves in future careers. Through partnerships like ELBA, RDCS continues to create accessible, place-based opportunities for young people in east London.