AS part of Europe Week of Code, an exciting event took place in one of Cornwall’s school communities.

After a talk to children at Whitstone Community Primary School about the history of computing, where it is today and where it might be going tomorrow, with a strong emphasis on career and life outcomes, Nick Corston, co-founder of STEAM Co, launched, using a dynamite transformation vehicle, a Lego mini-figure of Elon Musk down a ten metre hyperloop track system and timed using a BBC Micro:bit computer.

Dreamed up by non-profit social enterprise STEAM Co, it’s all part of a Europe-wide initiative supported by Google, Barclays, BT and Nesta to inspire the next generation of ‘STEAM Inventors’ — people who use science, technology, engineering, art and maths skills to come up with innovative solutions to every day problems.

After the hyperloop firing, the children got the chance to engage in workshops, with Nick assisted by the school’s staff and Nanetta Holmes of Barclays Digital Eagles, who run coding activities in communities across the UK.

The workshops included coding of micro-computers, 3D photography, modeling and printing, robotics and computational thinking activities.

With the children, their carers and the staff as spectators, the visit memorably ended with a rocket being launched into the skies above the school.

Headteacher, Paul Woolner, said: “Today has been an abolsutely fantastic day. There are times when we can feel we’re in a very isolated corner of North Cornwall and that we don’t often have the chance to experience such great opportunities as these.

“The activities certainly engaged the children’s imaginations, raised their aspirations and expanded their horizons — their ideas of how technology might be used to shape the future were undoubtedly influenced.

“We’re very grateful to Nick for taking the time in a hectic schedule to make a visit to us.”