Townley Grammar School Hosts the ACP Roadshow

On 8 November the ACP Roadshow Team of Michael Smith, Chris Marshall, Mike Stokes and Lee Mason presented at Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath, Kent. Included in the audience were students and staff from Bexley Grammar School, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School and Harris Academy Falconwood. A total audience of 100.

Starting with NASA’s Artemis programme, during the morning Dr Smith went on to introduce students to some of the technologies of what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (see: Technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution) such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, The Internet of Things, Robotics, Drones, Virtual Reality, Quantum Computers, Nanotechnology, 3D Printing and Blockchain + Cryptocurrency. With the last two related technologies he was joined by Lee Mason, and with robotics and AI by Chris Marshall who introduced and directed questions to, Spot, our Boston Dynamics quadruped robot.

Dr Smith related these technologies to the aerospace, space and aviation industries, with particular reference to current and future career opportunities, plus future technologies up to the year 2050. Following our introduction of a student dressed in our replica NASA Shuttle EVA suit the team then took questions until lunchtime. During the afternoon students had an opportunity to be ‘hands-on’ with drone flight simulators, VR flight experiences and Augmented Reality design plus 3D Printing.

On behalf of the ACP Trustees, Dr Smith would like to thank most warmly Nevita Pandya MBE, Headteacher and, in particular, Wendy Williams and her colleagues for their superb organisation and hosting. Also, from the ACP Trustees, warmest thanks as always to our colleagues, Chris Marshall from Airborne Platforms, Mike Stokes from DevelopMyWeb and Lee Mason from Metageist.

The visiting schools have now joined Townley Grammar School as members of the ACP ‘family’ and will receive a continuing and growing input of relevant information via our Network, website, social media and YouTube channel. To the staff of all four schools we say a very grateful Thank You, and to the students we wish them every success for their future education and subsequent careers. We look forward to presenting again at Townley Grammar School in academic year 2027/28.