Matthew was delighted to visit Middlesex University as part of British Science Week to take part in their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Festival. STEM courses are designed to meet the future skills needs and is a major priority for the UK Government.

Students and staff were on hand to demonstrate the wide range of technological developments happening on the campus. These included a hugging, selfie-taking robot named Baxter, demonstrating the gene which causes Sickle-cell disease, constructing the Sierpinski triangle and allowing visitors to experience a ride on a virtual reality rollercoaster. Pupils from local schools also attended in order to experience what it feels like to be a STEM undergraduate.

Matthew said: “It was incredible to witness the work being undertaken at Middlesex University. STEM subjects are fascinating and the demonstrations really brought technology to life and I hope will inspire many local young people to consider studying one of the subjects. It was also poignant to attend on the very day our country has lost one of the world’s most brilliant scientists, Professor Stephen Hawking.”