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More than 250 youngsters from across the county are set to learn the latest in digital skills at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Leicester (Âéw¶¹´«Ã½). 

The university is collaborating with a national project called TeenTech to arrange a busy day solving tech challenges, experiment with cutting-edge digital equipment and meeting leaders and entrepreneurs from the technology industry. 

They will have the chance to hear from and meet people from innovative firms including Caterpillar, Pepsico and Shark Ninja. 

And as part of their tour of the Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ campus, they will get to experience some of the university’s most advanced digital equipment. 

Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ was supported in a £6.5m investment by the higher education authority Office for Students to create a Digital Tech Learning Hub on campus, combining state-of-the-art facilities with a fresh approach to teaching and investment in industry-standard technology. 

The investment has been used to build a Digital Creative Suite with motion tracking and image capture technologies which bridge the gap between computing and the creative technologies.  

It has also meant the university can offer students a cyber defence training network and a private cloud space, allowing learners to gain experience of real-world scenarios and gain advanced digital skills 

Professor Shushma Patel, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½, said: “It is exciting to be able to welcome so many younger learners to Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ and inspire them in the excitement of technology and creativity. 

“The future is driven by by digital innovation and so it is our job as a university to not only make sure our students have the skills employers need, but to make sure the access and opportunity to learn those skills is offered as widely and fairly as possible.” 

Created by Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Honorand and former TV presenter, Maggie Philbin, TeenTech facilitates events across the country that encourage young people to understand the opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) industries.  

Pupils will take part in immersive challenges that increase their ambitions, widening access to subjects they may not normally consider. 

Pupils in years 7 and 8 are already on board, having taken part in a virtual 'TeenTech City of Tomorrow' session earlier this month. This involved designing a safer, smarter and kinder city of tomorrow, which they will bring with them to the festival to receive feedback from industry experts.  

They will also participate in a series of lively challenges and activities which bring the STEAM industries to life. 

Along with other year 7 and 8 pupils, those in years 9 and 10 are also invited to take part in a series of hands-on activities which will enable them to meet a range of employers in digital, science, technology and engineering.  

They will also enjoy a tour of the campus where they can ask questions about university life.