The University of Westminster has been revealed as one of three locations to host this summer’s Digital Schoolhouse’s Festival of Play, a creative career and computing conference for students aged 9-14.
Festival of Play, the fun-filled creative careers and computing conference in association with Electronic Arts and Northern Ireland Screen, aimed at students aged 9-14, returns this summer with a jam-packed schedule of interactive workshops, inspiring talks and innovative games - all showcasing the range of careers available in the video games industry.
Returning for its third year, the Festival of Play will expand further than before, hosting for the first time at three universities across the UK, coming to the University of Westminster on 4 July.
The events will educate and empower young learners, allowing them to get closer to the technology used to make video games and to spark their interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) subjects. Pupils will hear from and meet people who work in the video games industry, encouraging them to think about how the skills and interests they have today can match up with the careers they may grow into in the future.
Festival of Play also recruits university student volunteers, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to network and learn from the attending video games companies and industry professionals.
This school trip is not just for school pupils but it is an opportunity for continuing professional development, providing the teachers in attendance with the skills to bring Computing lessons to life in the classroom by teaching in fun and playful ways.
Festival of Play has engaged hundreds of school pupils and their teachers in a uniquely interactive games careers experience over the past two years. The event’s evaluation survey found that 70% of students left the Festival interested in a career in video games and likely to continue with an activity learned at the conference. Teachers gained an improved knowledge of computing as a subject and its application within the video games industry, plus an increased enthusiasm to teach industry-informed digital and creative skills.
Dr Doug Specht, Chartered Geographer, Senior Lecturer, and the Assistant Head of School of Media and Communication, said: “We are delighted that the University will be hosting the Festival of Play. This is a wonderful opportunity for school children from across the country to make the University of Westminster their home for the day, while working with some of the biggest names in the computer games industry. I’m really pleased that we have been able to build on the success of last year’s teacher facing event in Harrow, and look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Digital School House.”
Shahneila Saeed, Director of Digital Schoolhouse, said: “It has been exciting to watch the Festival of Play grow year on year thanks to the support and partnership of Electronic Arts. To be able to bring the Festival to Northern Ireland in partnership with NI Screen enables us to bring a wealth of unique and inspiring opportunities to students and teachers across the region. The next phase of the Festival of Play is an incredibly exciting one, and I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.”
Jaimie Vargas, Head of Global Social Impact at Electronic Arts, added: "Events like the Festival of Play help bring to life the broad range of career opportunities that a STEAM-based education can open up for students. At EA, we believe that play-based STEAM learning can spark creativity and teach students valuable skills that will help prepare them for success in an ever-changing workforce. We're excited to continue our partnership with Digital Schoolhouse and expand access and opportunity for even more students across the UK."
Find out more about Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Westminster, including the Computer Games Development BSc Honours course.
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