Google.org has donated £60,000.00 to Generating Genius , a charity aimed at dis-advantaged youth, in order for the non-profit organisation to extend its innovating programme across the country.

Google will fund GG, run by Dr Tony Sewell, who was recently appointed by London Mayor Boris Johnson to chair the London Enquiry Into Schools. Generating Genius is a talent development, after school program that uses science, hands-on engineering/ technology and apprentice-style competition to guide young people from underrepresented backgrounds into higher education.

With funding from Google, Generating Genius will be able to double the number of students and teachers participating in their computer science specific program each year, from 100 students and 10 teachers per year to 200 students and 20 teachers per year.

The core focus of the program is the Creative Programming Project, which has four key themes, based on the understanding and application of programming: (1) Computer generated artwork, games and video animation; (2) Using open-source electronics prototyping platform; (3)Building NXT Robots and programming apps for Android phones, and (4) Programming Virtual Environments.

Google’s donation is part of its commitment to show young school pupils the power of computer science. As well as providing equipment and course content, engineers from within Google will be on-hand to mentor children involved in the programme.

The director of Generating Genius Dr Tony Sewell says: ‘This is a fantastic donation. Google has allowed us to take up our programme to the next level by creating hubs in schools and community centres across the UK. We aim to leave a legacy of trained tutors so that the programme is self-sustained. It means we can seriously lead a technology revolution amongst young people in our inner-cities. The objective is to give our students the opportunity to be creators not just consumers of technology.’

Peter Barron, Google’s Director of External Relations said:

“Promoting the teaching of computer science and coding is something we feel passionately about at Google. Generating Genius are doing great work in this area through hands-on afterschools clubs for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We’re delighted to support their work through this charitable donation and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the next generation of computer coders.”

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The workshop at Bank of America Merrill Lynch took place on 19^th November 2011 and was organised by The Knowledge Channel(TKC).The overall experience was very constructive and novel as it provided us with the unique opportunity to meet and personally talk to renowned investment bankers, career consultants and entrepreneurs, including Tim Campbell who was the winner of BBC1 TV show The Apprentice in 2005.

The event commenced at 6:30pm and concluded at 8:30pm. During the two hours spent at the bank, we were taught about different aspects of investment banking and how their applications can be found in various capacities in Africa. The main focus of the workshop was to empower us with the required skill, not only to write effective curriculum vitae’s, but also to succeed in the interview procedure. Dr. Ian, who is CEO of his own consultancy firm, gave us a practice session on how to improve our interview skills by practicing ‘self-pitches’.

Tim Campbell, key note speaker of the event, gave us a motivational speech on how to succeed in entrepreneurship, in which he referred to his own life story telling us about his journey from a humble beginner to an entrepreneurial epitome.

For me as an individual, the event was very meaningful and informative as I came to realize how my degree choices of theoretical physics and pure mathematics could be applied to the banking sector thereby acquainting me with another possible future job prospect. I thank Uni Genius for giving me a chance to participate in such a memorable event.

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I was looking forward to this challenge, as were my fellow students, we were all hoping we would learn something new and take away something positive. The campus building was great and impressive. Firs t off there was the introduction, where we were welcomed and given a fencing demonstration by members of the GB Olympic team.

We were set two tasks: to create an Épée, the fencing sword, with no given instructions, only using the given tools and objects provided; and the second, to work out the young modulus of certain metals to determine which was best suited for use in an Épée. At the end of the day the referees had  to decide which team was best and invite them to the finals.

After lunch we had a session of fencing, with a team GB member which everyone enjoyed. It provided time for us to just have a laugh. One of the highlights of the day…

I learnt a lot and improved on several things. All day we worked as a team where communication was key and I applied and improved on that. Problem solving was another as we were faced with dilemmas from the start, having to build the Épée with no instruction and doing the experiment and calculations correctly. I enjoyed the time that I had there.

These events are great fun and new experiences,and you will always come out having advanced and learnt – and ultimately leave a better and improved person than when you came in.

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On Thursday 17th November we attended an enterprising event for young minds at Royal Holloway University in Surrey. The marketing challenge task was to get as many people as possible to recognise and remember World Peace Day, which is held on 21^st September. Presentations were given by top creative agencies D&AD and Brothers&Sisters.

We came up with the idea ”Pledge for Peace”. Pledging for peace is a promise that you not only hold for world peace day – but forever. You can Pledge for Peace in your local community by putting your hand print on a huge wall. This way we reach everybody willing to participate and promise to pledge peace.

We presented this with a combination of creative innovative and technical business skills, which led us to win the ‘Best Presentation’ award.

I found the public speaking the best part because it gave us a chance to express the passion we had for our idea and to show the amount of work we had produced that day.

Throughout the day the guest judges from Brothers&Sisters had been looking out for individuals who they thought had the creative characteristics to land an internship with them!

Myself and Sammy, from the Uni Genius scheme, were presented with the internship prize. This was a huge surprise and we’re truly grateful to be chosen for such a valuable opportunity.

The day ended on a great high as the judges and our ambassadors toasted to our success and other students congratulated us.

The day was a truly amazing experience, and if it wasn’t for the wonderful opportunity organised by Uni Genius I would never of heard about the competition, let alone received the phenomenal chance of getting to work alongside some of the most important people in the creative industry.

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On Wednesday 23rd November, Google was offering an evening of networking for the launch of their 2011/12 Top Black Talent Programme. The programme was designed to attract and support new black talent to the technology industry, both in engineering and business roles. Other than the Uni Genius students, everyone was either an undergraduate or a graduate, but we didn’t let this intimidate us. We blended in with the crowd and at the end of the night managed to have a talk with everyone. It made me realise that one’s achievements are theirs and one cannot depend on someone else for that to happen. This event also enhanced my confidence to interact with very inspiring people. These events are key to know how to behave adequately and enhance one’s vocabulary and knowledge.

When the event finished we talked about what skills we had achieved or had used at the event that made us give a good impression things such as: not fidgeting with your hands when in a group conversation, keeping eye contact and looking interested. Events like these make us grow as a person and allow us to achieve better opportunities. To be honest, I would never have thought about a career at Google as I want to become a lawyer, but the complicity of this company includes so many types of people with different degrees, from sales advisor to engineers and even lawyers. Never let opportunities go, even if they don’t seem relevant, they may just surprise you.

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The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today announced a new education inquiry to explore the critical challenges facing London’s primary and secondary schools, including driving up standards, the availability of good school places, and future investment.

Although GCSE results are improving, nearly four in 10 of London’s school children do not achieve the level needed for good life chances. The Mayor is concerned that some schools are lowering their expectations of pupils, and not pushing children in core subjects such as Maths and English.

After the August disturbances it was found that over 66 per cent of children involved had special educational needs and a third were excluded from school. In a recent GLA survey, one third of Londoners stated that education and training for young people was their number one priority.

The Mayor hopes the inquiry will raise important questions for the government to consider when allocating education funding to the capital. Some schools are so stretched for space that 11,000 children are being taught in portacabins and the city has experienced a birth rate increase of 25 per cent.

Last week the Mayor and Jules Pipe, leader of London Councils, met with the Secretary of State Michael Gove MP to discuss schools funding, and he welcomed the Government’s subsequent decision to award £260m to London to begin to help meet this shortage of places.

The Mayor has asked former teacher and CEO of Generating Genius, Tony Sewell, to scope the format and key issues of the inquiry and a Chair and formal panel will be announced shortly. The inquiry will run for 10 months with an interim report due to be published in February and a final report next autumn.

Key issues will be:
How to support schools to continue to drive up standards
Meeting the demand for good school places
Increasing investment in school buildings and supporting the growth of academies and free schools
Encouraging more partnerships between state schools and independent schools, businesses and charitable or cultural organisations
Tackling underachievement of particular ethnic groups, boys and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Driving school improvement and keeping class sizes to maximum of 30 pupils
Increasing take up of key subjects such as Languages and STEM (Science, Technology and Maths) to ensure London’s workforce are skilled for the future economy
Exploring the role of vocational education, careers support for future work
Provision of after school clubs and supplementary education

The Mayor made the announcement today as he visited the new Haberdasher’s Aske’s Crayford Academy in Bexley.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘Academic excellence and social confidence should belong to all children, regardless of their background. Some schools have cracked the magic formula that brings out the best in every child, regardless of their ability and helps them reach their full potential. We’ve got amazing schools that push some of the most disadvantaged kids into excellent universities and professions, whilst others harvest an intake of enthusiastic kids who steadily lose momentum and ambition. I want our inquiry to ask some tough questions and help cultivate in all our schools the positive energy, discipline and ambition our children deserve.’

Michael Gove, Education Secretary, said: ‘Boris is right – London has many great schools but we must all do more to improve standards – especially for children from poorer homes. I know how passionate the Mayor is about making opportunity more equal. And I know that he wants every penny we spend on education used as efficiently as possible – devoted to great teaching. That’s why I am so enthusiastic about this review and want to work with Boris so we can ensure every school in London is as good as the best.’

Tony Sewell is an outspoken education commentator and former teacher who is the CEO of Generating Genius, a charity that has successfully placed children from disadvantaged backgrounds into top universities.

Tony Sewell said: ‘London is a world leader in science, culture and business, and so our school system needs to keep up the pace. Failure is not an option for any of our children and we need to expect more and raise aspirations. We have some excellent state schools in the capital but our education system is facing some serious challenges today in terms of proper investment, raising aspiration, strengthening discipline and stretching children from all backgrounds. As someone with over 20 years experience in education, including in inner London, I believe this Inquiry is very timely and I am glad the Mayor is making this a priority.’

The Mayor is working on a range of projects to boost young peoples education and attainment including opening three Mayoral academies, plans for an ‘Leadership’ after school clubs, mentoring disadvantaged young people, and expanding apprenticeships. For more information about what the Mayor is doing to raise aspiration and attainment and improve opportunities for young Londoners go to www.london.gov.uk/priorities/young-people.

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Details, as follows:

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Generating Genius’ Chief Executive Dr Tony Sewell says: “At Generating Genius we have always taken students, parents, sponsors, schools, colleges and universities very seriously, talking and listening to our stakeholders and taking their views on board. Over the last year we have conducted a series of informal research programmes and the results have influenced the new website design and content.”

Generating Genius is well know for it’s practical and effective out-of-school programme that aims to develop talent in groups traditionally under-represented in higher education, particularly in science subjects. Of their initial group of boys from an African-Caribbean background, 94% won places at Russell Group universities.

The new website is refined, user-friendly and created by BurntCork Media . It gives visitors to the website detailed programme information, media coverage of Generating Genius’ achievements, including testimonials written by students who have participated in the Junior Genius programme.

“Visitors to our website want to be able to understand how effective the Generating Genius programme is and find out who we are and how we work” says Dr Sewell. “We are a successful, growing and strongly reliable organisation with a 94% success rate of students achieving places at Russell Group universities. This year we incorporated girls in the programme and received further recognition for our programme of work, winning support from Google and the continued commitment of Johnson Matthey. We are continually innovating and improving our programme. The new website is the natural next step.”

The charity has experienced phenomenal success since its foundation in 2005. It now has two project coordinators, and is working with more young people, parents, schools, colleges, universities and companies to engage children at a young age to aspire to professions in STEM subjects.

Veronica Martin, Trustee of Generating Genius added: “Charities are facing cuts reaching almost £3bn over the next five years due to government spending reductions. Generating Genius knows that its programme of activities with children as young as 12 years old has positive effects. As a result, we will continue to refine our services to meet their needs now and in the future.”

About Generating Genius
Generating Genius is a charity that seeks to encourage and develop talented students from underrepresented backgrounds to aspire to professions in computer science, scientific research, medicine, engineering and finance. In the first phase of its programme, which ran from 2005-2010, the charity worked with 40 boys over five years, resulting in all participants being offered a place at Russell Group universities.

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During 2011, Junior Genius will practise a school break syllabus and during 2012 we plan to travel to the University of Peking in China and the University of the West Indies, Mona in Jamaica.

During the Easter period, the new cohort of Junior Genius undertook their first challenges at Queen Mary, University of London and The School of African and Oriental studies, University of London.

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Whether you’re an established university looking to widen participation from under represented groups or a college/sixth form looking to enable your students to gain better access to higher education or perhaps you are a specialist in your field and have the skills to enable a young person to reach their full potential, then we are inviting you to our launch!

What’s Happening at the Launch?
The launch will include presentations from Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group Universities, and other top Universities. Founder of Generating Genius, Dr Tony Sewell will be giving an overview of the ambitions of this already established project and how Universities and Colleges can benefit from a partnership with Uni Genius.

As a college or sixth form representative you will be able to understand more about how the project works for you and talk to the mentors who include industry professions from Google, Shell, Johnson Mathey, Lloyds among others. As a potential mentor, it is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about the role you will play as an enabler for many underprivileged young people to gain access to their ambitions within higher education.

How Can I Get Involved?

If you would like to attend the launch on Monday 14th November please RSVP to:
Charlie Michael - charlie@generatinggenius.org.uk

Alternatively if you are unable to attend but would still like further information about participating please contact Charlie. If you know of any other suitable potential attendees please share.

Launch Details

Monday 14th November, 5-7pm
University College London
London
WC1E 7JE

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