An Inside Look at the MIT-NAE STEAM Programme

In November, one of our talented students, Perya, had the incredible opportunity to attend the MIT-Nord Anglia STEAM Programme, a week-long event in Boston that gathers Nord Anglia students worldwide to delve into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). 

Launched in 2016, the collaboration between the two organisations is designed to challenge students' creativity and critical thinking, immersing them in a blend of scientific theory and hands-on experimentation. We sat down with Perya to hear about her experiences and insights.

Q: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MIT-NORD ANGLIA STEAM PROGRAMME?

The programme is a collaboration between Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Nord Anglia Education (NAE) that allows Nord Anglia students from all over the world to learn STEAM subjects in an innovative way. The programme encourages creativity, experimentation, and teaches how to apply these skills to real-world situations. Core to the collaboration is MIT’s philosophy of ‘Mens et Manus,’ or ‘mind and hand,’ which emphasises a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Q: WHAT PROJECTS DID YOU WORK ON DURING THE PROGRAMME?

MIT offered us several workshops and conferences led by their graduate students. They also gave us a project to design a camera to observe the aurora in Alaska. Our mission was to make this camera suitable for the weather conditions in Alaska.

Q: WAS THERE A SPECIFIC LESSON OR CONCEPT YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY INSPIRING OR CHALLENGING?

I experienced coding for the first time during one of the MIT projects. I always thought it would be pretty straightforward, but it wasn’t at all. While proceeding with the coding programme, I encountered numerous challenges.

Q: HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE INFLUENCED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON STEAM FIELDS?

Putting theory into reality was amazing, and we also had an opportunity to examine some of the MIT projects in detail. For instance, MIT students installed cameras on penguins in Antarctica as part of a project about penguin life. Through the cameras, they were able to observe the behaviours and actions of the penguins.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE MIT-NORD ANGLIA STEAM PROGRAMME?

I suggest all my peers find a way to practice all the critical subjects. Theoretical knowledge and practical application are two entirely different things. Practice is required to fully understand the material. It’s their chance to prepare themselves for the next MIT competition and participate in this global experience.

The British School of Tashkent (BST) is proud to be part of Nord Anglia Education's world-leading collaborations with institutions like MIT, which offer our students unparalleled experiences in scientific education. Through this partnership, our students access cutting-edge workshops and projects, fostering their growth as future innovators and leaders in STEAM fields. 

Our dedicated STEAM building further supports this mission, providing a purpose-built environment for our learners to thrive. To find out more about the education offered at BST, contact our admissions team today at admissions@britishschool.uz.