One of the defining aspects of the Design and Technology with ICT Education Show at the NEC, Birmingham, is the presence of schools on the main exhibiting floor. Each year, the show’s organisers encourage schools to share their knowledge and expertise with delegates. This year it is the turn of primary and secondary schools from Warrington. Schools from the town have been chosen because of the pro-active Damp;T network within the authority. Jill Robinson, general advisor for Warrington LEA, says: “We believe that design and technology makes a unique contribution to a broad and balanced curriculum, and we are hoping to express that to colleagues at the show.”

Students and teachers from the county high schools Great Sankey, Sir Thomas Boteler, Padgate, and the primaries Long Lane and Locking Stumps will take part in a range of activities under the themes of All the Fun of the Fair (movement and mechanisms), Meet the Challenge (maze games and sensory tests) and Up, Up and Away (hot air balloons and rockets). Other schools will also create displays for the exhibition.

Jim Barber, an advanced skills teacher for Damp;T at Padgate County High School, will be one of the teachers running the demonstrations. He has regular in-service training sessions and spends one day a week in local primary schools. He hopes the demonstrations will provide something for every Damp;T teacher.

“We will be running activities from all areas of Damp;T, including food, textiles, resistant materials and graphics,” he says. “And all the activities we have planned look at ideas that teachers can use in the primary and secondary curriculums.”

The show will also feature seminars, lectures and exhibitors from all areas of Damp;T. It runs from November 27 to 29. For further information and ticket details, see Noticeboard on page 25.