Experiential learning initiative mTech.Academy to build on year 1 success

by Startacus Admin

NI experiential learning initiative mTech.Academy announces plans to expand it's programme for the 2019/20 academic year. The team released it's 2018/19 Report Card at 2-day tech event Digital DNA, detailing the significant impact that the initiative has had on students and teachers over the last year. 

Founded by experts from the education and technology communities, mTech.Academy delivers experiential learning for the future of work. The holistic mTech.Academy programme provides a project-based, technology-centric curriculum that addresses the specific requirements of students, teachers and head teachers, preparing them for new opportunities in the digital world. Combining innovative technology, creativity and real-world skills development, mTech.Academy empowers students, providing a strong foundation to achieve their potential.

“We are proud of the work that we have collectively undertaken in mTech.Academy this year and we are truly gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response from students, parents, teachers and industry,” said Diane Morrow, Co-Founder, mTech.Academy. “We started out with just 10 schools in mTech.Academy in our first year, but our long-term vision is much more audacious – to bring experiential learning to every student in Northern Ireland.”

This year, mTech.Academy partnered with 10 schools across Northern Ireland, engaging with 300 Year 10 students in problem-based learning with a focus on smart cities, while 70 head teachers, middle leaders and careers leaders participated in industry-led continuing professional development (CPD).

Through the programme, students developed their digital skills, utilising cloud-based collaboration tools, conducting online research and developing presentations, while also building soft skills, such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. Further, mTech.Academy provided CPD to: mentor educators on how technology is enabling new career possibilities in a wide range of industry sectors; equip leaders to shape school development plans; and forge stronger industry links for career advocacy.

A major highlight of the mTech.Academy programme was the field trip for 100 students to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress (MWC19). MWC19 was an eye-opening experience; not only did the students get to test out cutting-edge technology, products and services first-hand, they were able to talk with representatives from the 2,400 companies participating at the show and learn about the vast array of career opportunities open to them. 

After just one year, mTech.Academy has had an indelible impact on students, parents and teachers alike. In addition to detailing the full range of programme activities, the 2018/19 mTech.Academy Report Card featured key findings from a survey of programme participants.

Building on its success in the first year, mTech.Academy is now expanding the programme to reach at least 600 students and 140 teachers at 20 schools across Northern Ireland. 

  

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Published on: 20th June 2019