b'IET Futures Fund|13Ive been keen to take part for a few years butMr Woolcocks 2003 teamwithout the incredibly generous support from the IET and the Wates Family Enterprise Trust we simply couldnt have made it work. With a closer regional event, I signed us up immediately as I knew what a powerful experience it would be for the children.The students we took back after the regional final were not the same students we took to the competition. Their confidence, friendships, problem solving skills, stamina and resilience have all increased beyond belief. From realising that they were competing against teams made up of 16-year-olds to suddenly having the pressure of a live audience, countdown clock and referees as they were trying to concentrate. Each time it happened those children learnt a little something new about themselves and what they were capable of. Match-funding has:Back in 2003 I was in secondary school andEnabled disadvantaged teams/loved technology and computing! I was fortunateschools to take part by funding enough to be a part of our schools FIRST LEGOkit and travel to competitionsLeague team back then and we enjoyed theProvided teaching materials in experience immensely. It gave me the confidenceWelshto be myself, to speak up, to be a part of theHelped the Scouts Squirrels team and to try new things. This was such atake part in Discovertransformative experience for our primary school Supported Irish Girl Guides, from a small town in Cornwall.Youth Offenders Institute and our programme in Northern Jacob Woolcock Ireland'