STEAM Centre Launch

STEAM Centre Launch On Friday 30th October, the British School of Tashkent (BST) launched their state-of-the-art STEAM Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) with a gala event. Delegates included ambassadors, businessmen, subject experts, socialites and bloggers who arrived with their children to experience STEAM.

On Friday 30th October, the British School of Tashkent (BST) launched their state-of-the-art STEAM Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) with a gala event. Delegates included ambassadors, businessmen, subject experts, socialites and bloggers who arrived with their children to experience STEAM.

The main goal of the launch event was to raise awareness of the importance of STEAM subjects. Delegates were able to appreciate the impact STEAM had on private industry and public sectors via the next generation of Scientists, Engineers, Mathematicians and Artists. Some of the careers STEAM subjects may lead to are:

• Mechanical and Civil Engineer
• Architect
• Website/App/Video Game Designer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Product Designer
• Animator
• Forensic Psychologist
• Astrophysicist
• Fashion Designer
• Interior Designer
• Photographer
• Pilot
• Astronaut
• Archeologist

Dr Andre Nel opened the event with a speech on STEAM – emphasizing that the jobs of today’s students haven’t been invented, and that the days of keeping the same job for decades are long over. The target moves as technology advances. But one fact stands: the jobs of tomorrow will require creativity and innovation. By integrating Art and Design with STEM subjects, BST is working to strengthen students’ abilities to be creative and flexible problem-solvers, to explore different ideas, to recognize failures as opportunities for discovery and to communicate well with others. STEAM projects, allow students to  learn by inventing, creating and designing—and understanding the true meaning of design. The arts in various forms also challenge students to explore the human condition; to be attuned to the emotional, social and cultural world around them, and in doing so, to learn to feel empathy toward others. BST students, as part of the Nord Anglia Education family of schools, also benefit from the partnerships with MIT, The Juilliard School and UNICEF to develop students’ love of participation and knowledge further.  

The Director of Marketing and Admissions, Shagufta Bibi then ensured delegates were split into groups (maintaining social distancing) and lead by her team to tour the impressive new facilities at BST.
During the tour, the Head of Admissions, Elena Savtsova gave each child visitor a “BST Wonders Guide” for them to tick off BST attractions.

Physics: Up, up into Space!

Students launched their own rockets. Whilst designing rockets, students learnt about STEAM concepts - Forces, Newton's Laws of Motion, Pressure, Aerodynamics, Cones and many more!

Biology - Stretchy Universe Slime

Did you know that the universe is stretching out in all directions? It's true! Students made their own slime to illustrate how the universe has been stretching out and expanding since it began about 13.8 billion years ago. Students learnt about the Doppler Shift and the observable movement of galaxies as evidence of expansion. 

Chemistry: Acid, alkali or neutral?

Delegates used red cabbage as a PH indicator. The cabbage was chopped, boiled and purple liquid extracted. Delegates were asked to label products as liquid, alkali or neutral and then test their hypothesis. The liquid indicator was used to test PH levels of lemon juice, bleach, milk, water and citric acid with interesting results.

SPACE...is the oxygen of ART!

Delegates enjoyed exploring spray painting techniques and created wonderful space scenes full of stars and planets and were really proud of their work!

Design and Technology: To the moon and back

Guests were showcased a splendid display of STEAM projects, demonstrating students working resistant materials and rendering models of living quarters on the moon. 

Computing and Robotics: Plan, design, create and repeat

Guests were engaged in either creating a robotic arm, planning, designing and building an energy house using 3D modelling with electricity or building a functioning bridge using raw materials.

Mathematics – International Space Stations

How are astronauts fed and what happens to the waste? Visitors had to take real food and find the percentage of waste and edible components to understand how much waste was being generated by astronauts and which foods were better to take into space.

Following the workshops, guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet meal and networked with dignitaries and eminent business people. 

Elena Savtsova then gave out individual prizes to all the young people who successfully completed the BST Wonders Guide as a memento of an inspiring evening.

Dr Andre Nel concluded the evening by thanking all visiting parents and children for their participation and enthusiasm. Dr Nel then invited all attendees, young and old, to aim high, take selfies with STEAM figures, aspire for dream careers and above all “be ambitious”!