b'12|IET Futures FundIn 2022, a team from Penpol PrimaryMr Woolcock believes that all the children School, named the Penpol Pumpkins,have a stronger interest in STEM thanks took their Innovation Projectto the competition:presentations and robot all the way to the Cornish and GB National Final.I think probably two thirds of the team would consider a career in engineering as a result of this competition, while the others want to be inventors, computing teachers and scientists. This competition has allowed them to see that these jobs are possible for them.As we left the final, one of the childrenFIRST LEGO League is life-changing, asked me if he could take part again but these events dont happen for free. next year. I thought theyd forget aboutWithout the donations of individuals and it over the summer, but on the first day companies it just couldnt happen. By of term they were standing patientlysupporting these events youre making outside the computer lab at lunchtimethis learning and life experience possible for thousands of children in the UK.asking if they could start working on their project. I cant think of a singleIn my ten years of teaching its the Penpol Pumpkinsday since then where they havent beenmost fun thing Ive been involved with, there, tinkering away on some part ofbecause its structured in a way that is unstructuredthe children lead and their robot, researching ideas for their Case Study innovation project, emailing individualsyou just go along for the ride, providing support when needed. You go into and companies for support. teaching to make a difference, and this competition lets you sit back and think Funding enables pupils like those from Penpol Primary School in Hayle,Jacob Woolcock, Head of Computing this is what its all about. Cornwall, to take part in FIRST LEGO League, igniting a passion for STEM as well as helping them grow in confidence. The school first tookand Digital Learning at Penpol Schoolpart in 2021-22, thanks to funding from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust. They came back to take part in the SUPERPOWERED SMseason and made it all the way to the International Finals in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.'