Last week, as I turned on my television, I was greeted with the lovely city of Stoke on one of the popular regional news shows. To my excitement, I found out that Stoke will, this year, host its first literary festival named Hot Air 2014.
By Ashleigh McLeod
According to an article on The Sentinel, the festival will kick-start a mission to improve the city’s reading and writing skills after a sharp fall in GCSE results throughout the country last year.
During the weekend of June 20 to 22, over 15 nationally known and local authors will give festival goers the opportunity to enter the debate and question experts in their own fields. Joanna Trollope, David Starkey, Lauren Child and Emma Bridgewater are just some of the authors who are scheduled to make an appearance.
Am I right in saying that us business folk love an opportunity for a good debate where we can also reap the benefits? I bet I am. And I’m even surer this festival will represent such an opportunity.
Not only will the Hot Air festival give us good scope for culture in the glorious county of Staffordshire, but it will also give like-minded business people the chance to quiz some writing specialists and take away some good tips. The authors may not be particularly business focussed but they sure know how to please their readers and if some of their techniques can be applied to your copywriting skills why not go along?
After all, we all love a good excuse for a festival and surely, now is the time to lead young people by example. Let me know what you think about the festival by tweeting me on @AshleighMcLeod2.
Showing posts with label Staffordshire University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Staffordshire University. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Ground control to Major bITjAM
In October last year, a piece of research carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that Stoke-on-Trent residents were among the lowest ranking for life-satisfaction, worthwhile and happiness in the whole of the UK. Rubbish, I say – mostly because Stokies have access to delicious Staffordshire oatcakes. However, if the region requires yet another reason to be happy, here it is: the launch of the bITjAM Innovation Qube.
By Charlie Stroe
In case you haven't come across our friends at bITjAM, let me tell you a few things that make them amazing. Firstly, they have already worked their magic for clients like the NHS, the Arts Council England, Staffordshire University and the Birmingham Conservation Trust. This last project involved bITjAM designing four digital tours that work on seven inch tablets, while also being interactive, fun and informative at the same time.
bITjAM can also help companies of any shape and size, from pretty much any industry, save money by designing innovative solutions that use technology to optimise work flow and communication with clients, staff and stakeholders.
If BITjAM's had a creed, I wager it would be something along the line of “technology will save our souls.” And that's because they know it so well and can manipulate it to suit their purposes, much like, say, Tony Stark.
Thirdly, bITjAM have worked with young people teaching them how to hack into everyday technologies and do impressive things with them. Just wait a second before you get on your high horse and tell me all about how hacking is bad.
Actually, a hackspace or hacklab is all about collaboration and developing free software, open hardware and alternative media. This is exactly what bITjAM taught Birches Head Academy students when they hacked a Nintendo Wii to emulate an electronic white board. STEM curriculum made fun, baby!
That might seem like enough to make the people of Stoke-on-Trent smile, bITjAM just won't stop. To prepare for the launch of their unique research and development space, the bITjAM Innovation Qube, the company has invited local secondary school pupils, university students and apprentices to submit their creative ideas about original uses for technology.
The big prize for each category is a tech kit worth £200 and a personal research and development session with the bITjAM team of digital design experts and the Qube equipment. This includes 3D printers, an Oculus Rift virtual reality set, leap motion technology and much more. A geek's dream, really.
But wait, there's more! Staffordshire companies that would like to find out how bITjAM can help their business are welcome to come and get personalised advice, while also visiting the unique Innovation Qube on March 7, between 13:00 and 15:00.
All you have to do is register here and get ready to have your mind blown. In addition, feel free to, take your protein pills and put your helmet on.
By Charlie Stroe
In case you haven't come across our friends at bITjAM, let me tell you a few things that make them amazing. Firstly, they have already worked their magic for clients like the NHS, the Arts Council England, Staffordshire University and the Birmingham Conservation Trust. This last project involved bITjAM designing four digital tours that work on seven inch tablets, while also being interactive, fun and informative at the same time.
bITjAM can also help companies of any shape and size, from pretty much any industry, save money by designing innovative solutions that use technology to optimise work flow and communication with clients, staff and stakeholders.
If BITjAM's had a creed, I wager it would be something along the line of “technology will save our souls.” And that's because they know it so well and can manipulate it to suit their purposes, much like, say, Tony Stark.
Thirdly, bITjAM have worked with young people teaching them how to hack into everyday technologies and do impressive things with them. Just wait a second before you get on your high horse and tell me all about how hacking is bad.
Actually, a hackspace or hacklab is all about collaboration and developing free software, open hardware and alternative media. This is exactly what bITjAM taught Birches Head Academy students when they hacked a Nintendo Wii to emulate an electronic white board. STEM curriculum made fun, baby!
That might seem like enough to make the people of Stoke-on-Trent smile, bITjAM just won't stop. To prepare for the launch of their unique research and development space, the bITjAM Innovation Qube, the company has invited local secondary school pupils, university students and apprentices to submit their creative ideas about original uses for technology.
The big prize for each category is a tech kit worth £200 and a personal research and development session with the bITjAM team of digital design experts and the Qube equipment. This includes 3D printers, an Oculus Rift virtual reality set, leap motion technology and much more. A geek's dream, really.
But wait, there's more! Staffordshire companies that would like to find out how bITjAM can help their business are welcome to come and get personalised advice, while also visiting the unique Innovation Qube on March 7, between 13:00 and 15:00.
All you have to do is register here and get ready to have your mind blown. In addition, feel free to, take your protein pills and put your helmet on.
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