There’s a particular kind of honesty you get from a 9-year-old.
It cuts through buzzwords. Ignores strategy decks. Has very little patience for “thought leadership”.
And, as it turns out, it’s also a pretty effective lens for understanding the future of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing).
Last week, I took my son Thomas to Get up to Speed with STEM at Magna Science Adventure Centre - one of the UK’s largest interactive STEM events. We went on the primary + SEND-focused day, designed to be more accessible, less overwhelming, and more hands-on.
Or, in Thomas’ words:
“It was exciting and fun. Cool.”
High praise indeed!
Learning CPR… and immediately becoming “injured”
One of the first stops was Mini First Aid, where Thomas learned CPR on a manikin.
Within minutes, he’d confidently moved from life-saving technique to roleplay:
- Practised chest compressions
- Had his arm put in a sling
- Declared to everyone nearby that he was “actually injured”
A seamless transition from learning to storytelling.
But underneath the theatrics was something more important:
“It taught me how to help people.”
And that’s the thing. When STEM, and learning more generally, becomes tangible - when it connects to real-world impact - it sticks.
The sun, on an exhibition stand
At the UK Atomic Energy Authority stand, Thomas learned about developing low-carbon fusion energy, and plugging it into the grid.
Big topics. Big ideas.
Scientists trying to recreate the energy of the sun here on Earth.
Thomas listened, nodded… and then later summarised it in the only way that really matters:
“A giant plasma ball. Like mine at home… but huge.”
Technically accurate. Emotionally accurate. Arguably better than most adult reactions and explanations.
The questions adults ask vs the questions kids ask
There’s always a lot of talk at events like this about future skills.
AI. Automation. The jobs of tomorrow. All important conversations.
But here’s the contrast I kept noticing:
Adults ask:
- What skills will children need in 10 years?
- How do we prepare them for jobs that don’t exist yet?
- What role will AI play?
Kids ask:
- Can this make a lightsaber?
- Can you turn invisible?
- What happens if I press this?
One is strategic. The other is straight-up curiosity.
Only one of them naturally leads to learning.
A vampire, a laser tag arena, and peak engagement
The team from Gulliver’s Valley ran a vampire-themed laser tag tournament, which Thomas jumped at the chance of taking part in.
His main takeaway:
“Being turned into a vampire, then turning other players into vampires!"
Not the physics. Not the tech. Not the system design. The experience.
Because when something is immersive, playful, and just a little bit ridiculous, it becomes memorable.
And memorable is what learning actually looks like.
The SCI-TEK playground (or: learning disguised as chaos)
The Magna SCI-TEK outdoor adventure playground was, without question, one of the highlights.
No instructions. No structure. Just exploration.
Buttons, levers, movement, cause and effect.
Pure, chaotic curiosity.
“I loved it.”
You could see learning happening in real time:
- Trial
- Error
- Adjustment
- Discovery
Not a worksheet in sight.
We'll be heading back come summertime for the AQUA-TEK splash park.
The happiest moment: The “Magic Simulator”
The Hurricane Simulator - or, as Thomas called it, the “Magic Simulator” - was his standout moment.
Standing inside, wind blasting, fully committed to the experience.
“That was the best bit!”
Not because he learned a formula. Not because he understood the engineering. But because he felt it.
Confidence, excitement, participation. An emotional connection that sparks curiosity and learning can be layered on.
What actually matters
We admired a lot of stuff from afar - McLaren, AI demos, robotics, gaming, aerospace - because we just didn't get chance to get any closer.
There's so much to see and do here, and we'll definitely be back, next year.
Thomas's summary says it all:
“I loved it, it made me feel good. Can we come back next year, and bring mum, Samuel and Polly, pls?"
A strong endorsement!
Why this matters more than ever
We spend a lot of time trying to predict the future of work. What skills will matter. What roles will emerge. What technology will dominate.
But days like this suggest something simpler: The most important foundations aren’t technical. They’re human.
- Curiosity
- Confidence
- Creativity
- Willingness to try, fail, and try again
You don’t build those through instruction alone. You build them through experience. Through play.
Final thought
If the future of STEM depends on inspiring the next generation, then the formula might be less complicated than we think:
- Make it hands-on.
- Make it inclusive.
- Make it feel like magic.
Everything else follows.
