A brand new feature at the show will be the Bright Sparks Pavilion, where fledgling businesses and designers can stand out from the crowd with a brightly coloured stand fascia and get guaranteed, dedicated editorial in the Show Guide. This focused area will offer companies the chance to launch new ideas and showcase innovative designs, while giving teachers and students an exclusive opportunity to try brand new products on the market.
Andrew Morton, Show Organiser said ‘The Bright Sparks Pavilion has been a very successful feature at our trade show, Craft, Hobby & Stitch International. We made the decision to recreate it at the D+T with ICT Education show as it has proved to be extremely popular with both exhibitors and visitors. It will be an area of inspiration and innovation.'
Formula 1 in Schools aims to raise the profile of engineering as a career through the CAD/CAM Design Challenge. Students are asked to design a model CO2 powered F1 Car of the future using a CAD (Computer Aided Design) package. The cars are transferred into CNC (Computer Numerical Control) language using a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) package and then manufactured on a CNC machine. The D+T with ICT Education show is holding one of the regional heats, culminating with a prize giving ceremony on Saturday 22nd November.
Simon Moorhouse, Managing Director of Denford Ltd, Founder and Sponsors of Formula 1 in Schools said ‘To my knowledge this is the only project which involves students in engineering. It allows students to explore a wide range of software from the industry. In my day if a child of mine said they wanted to progress into engineering I would have been worried as it was low paid and low tech. It's quite the opposite today, it's high paid and high tech and a career that students want to be involved in.'
Textiles will feature highly at the show this year, with hands-on workshops, demonstrations and many of the leading sewing machine companies and other textile related suppliers and manufacturers exhibiting in a specially designated area. Textile artist and tutor Kim Thittichai has taught Experimental Textiles for nearly 10 years, and she's used her experience and knowledge to write a new book ‘Hot Textiles!' At the show she will demonstrate the different techniques available with heat tools, illustrate various design methods and the art of experimental textiles.
A programme of free, educational and informative seminars will be available at the show, from some of the most experienced people in the industry. The Keynote Lecture is being delivered by Richard Green, Chief Executive at The Design and Technology Association. He will give a summary of the state of play with D&T and ICT education today, addressing particularly the implications and opportunities as a result of the Primary Review, the secondary Diplomas and the Key Stage 3 Review. He will look at the future for D&T with ICT, talking optimistically about the tremendous opportunities and resources currently available for teachers in the different sectors.
Over the three days there will be hands-on workshops giving visitors the opportunity to get accustomed to new products and hear professional advice, plus over 100 exhibitors will showcase an extensive range of the latest products on the market.
Entry into the D+T with ICT Education Show and any of the seminars, good practice demonstrations and workshops is free of charge.
For more details about D+T 2008 check the show's website www.ichf.co.uk/d+t or contact Andrew Morton, Show Manager at ICHF on 01425 272711.
