From Neon discovery to hands-on engineering

I've always believed that young people should have opportunities to learn beyond the curriculum. Those experiences can open doors, broaden horizons and introduce students to careers they might never previously have considered.

Engineering is a particularly good example. Students study science and maths at school, but they don't always get to see how those subjects are applied in the real world. That's why I've always looked for practical STEM activities that help students make those connections.

But finding the right opportunities isn't always straightforward. Teachers are busy, budgets are stretched and researching activities takes time. You also need to know that what you're bringing into school will be worthwhile.

That's where Neon has made a difference.

Neon brings together quality-marked engineering and technology activities in one place. It allows teachers to search for opportunities that suit their students, compare what's available and find activities that meet relevant careers education benchmarks. For me, having that information readily available makes a huge difference.

Discovering something new

One of the best activities I discovered on Neon was STEM on Track. It gives students the opportunity to build a racing kart while exploring the science, engineering and maths behind it. I'd been browsing Neon to see what was available when I came across the provider. It wasn't something I'd encountered before, but the activity immediately caught my attention.

The programme brought together so many different elements of STEM. Students weren't simply building a kart. They were exploring the principles behind its design and construction, supported by an online learning platform.

Because the activity was listed on Neon, I could see that it had been assessed against quality standards. It was also easy to contact the provider and discuss how the programme could work in school.

We decided to go ahead, and it was a tremendous success. The students were engaged from the start. They could see how the subjects they were studying connected to something practical and exciting.

But the benefits went beyond the activity itself. I saw students applying what they'd learned, developing teamwork skills and becoming more focused on the career opportunities available to them.

The enthusiasm and commitment continued beyond the initial experience. It brought students together around a shared challenge and gave them something meaningful to work towards.

Giving teachers confidence

One of the things I value most about Neon is the confidence it gives teachers. With so many STEM activities available, having a trusted place to find quality-assured opportunities and feedback from other teachers is incredibly useful.

Neon also helps when you're making the case for an activity to school leaders. Being able to identify how it supports careers education benchmarks and see feedback from other schools makes it easier to demonstrate its value.

As a former Neon Champion, I've also appreciated the opportunity for teachers to contribute their own experiences and ideas. Teachers know what works in their classrooms, and involving them helps make Neon an even more valuable resource.

Opening doors through engineering

For me, the real value of engineering outreach is helping young people understand what's possible. Practical experiences can transform subjects that might otherwise feel abstract into something relevant, exciting and connected to future careers.

That's what happened with STEM on Track. The students weren't just learning about engineering. They were experiencing what it means to apply knowledge, solve problems and work together. And it all started with finding an opportunity on Neon.

I'd encourage any teacher looking to broaden their students' experiences of engineering and technology to explore what's available on Neon. For me, STEM on Track demonstrated how finding the right activity can help students develop new skills, discover career opportunities and imagine different futures.