CAD2CODE do some amazing work teaching the next generation, invaluable STEM skills with the help of robots. Since Michael Nelson founder of CAD2CODE left teaching to set up the business, he has helped to develop and spark the interest of STEM subjects for thousands of young people across the region. Using robotics as a tool for teaching these skills, in a hands-on and creative way.

 

Michael Nelson has been working with RTC North as a STEM Ambassador since 2012 whilst he was a Design Technology and Engineering teacher in a secondary school in the region. He has continued his role as an ambassador since leaving teaching to start up CAD2CODE and has delivered some great workshops to schools and at events across the North East. With support from the North East Ambition STEM Ambassador Hub run by RTC North, Michael has been able to reach wider audiences, from large scale events such as Bring It On to support in getting into local schools.

 

Michael said, “The STEM Ambassador Hub and the North East Ambition programme have helped me to link into the bigger picture of STEM.  Helping to take the interests and aspirations of pupils and allowing those young people to seriously consider a STEM based future.”

 

By using VEX robotics as a learning tool, CAD2CODE are working with young people to help close the skills gap within the North East by teaching relevant hands on skill.  Michael also works with Durham Local Authority, advising Primary and secondary schools to help develop and strengthen Design and Technology teaching within the region. Making a real difference to STEM learning across the region.

 

Janine Marshall, North East Ambition programme manager at RTC North said:

“It’s been fantastic working with organisations like CAD2CODE and individuals like Mike who truly understand the importance of bringing education to life. His approach to supporting students and teachers, to fully understand the sector, brings with it a real appreciation of the important role industry plays in educating our young people. Through the North East Ambition programme it is important to give something back to a business like CAD2CODE and this has opened up a whole range of resources and opportunities which in turn will help this business continue to develop , grow and have an impact on our region”

 

Michael has been instrumental in supporting and mentoring local teams in regional and national VEX IQ and EDR robotic competitions, as well as running these competitions himself, putting the North East on the robotics map. As a result of this he has been recognised by STEM learning, and he now helps to delivered robotics training at the National STEM Learning Centre in York.

 

Via the work done with North East Ambition, CAD2CODE have gained support in reaching young people across the region, whilst also helping to put together CPD sessions for teachers to further develop STEM skills of our future generation, by empowering the teachers with new tools to make lessons more relevant and exciting to the students. CAD2CODE have also made great use of some of the resources available to make this teaching even more valuable.

 

Michael explains:

“The Hub also have some great resources available at their offices for STEM Ambassadors to borrow and these resources have been particularly helpful to me, to help run some hands on, fun and engaging sessions to students to help bridge the skills gap. “

 

 

North East Ambition is led by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and is funded by the European Social Fund. Delivery partners include The Edge Foundation, the EY Foundation, RTC North and STEM learning Ltd. North East Ambition works with every secondary school, college and special education school in the North East to support them to achieve the Good Career Guidance Benchmarks by 2024. By doing this, every young person should be able to identify routes to a successful working life, make more informed decisions about their future and be better prepared for the workplace. Ensuring young people have the skills required for the future North East workforce is fundamental to our economic growth, underpinning our aim of driving an uplift of 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

 

For more information about North East Ambition and how it can help your company, contact neambition@rtcnorth.co.uk or the STEM team at 01915164400