School pupils preview mind controlled games, lasers and mini Mars Rover mission

School pupils from across London got a sneak-peak of what's to come at Imperial Festival at an exclusive preview event today.

In a specially-erected marquee in the heart of Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, primary school children controlled a mini Mars Rover using microwaves, saw balloons being popped by high-powered lasers, and designed their own paper aeroplanes based on the principles of aerodynamics. 

Pupils tested out some of the latest assistive technology developed by students from Imperial’s Sports Innovation Challenge, which has been designed to help disabled people with limited mobility interact with games in new ways. This included Scalextric sets which can be controlled with a user's thoughts via a headset, or through a myoelectic band which fits over the forearm and can respond to small gestures. 

Many of the schools attending were from neighbourhoods around Imperial’s new White City campus, giving school children a taste of the science and engineering that is beginning to take shape in their local area. 

Suyesha Hirachan, aged 10 from Wormholt Primary School, said: “I really liked seeing the mind-controlled race cars. It shows that people are thinking about others, and it's great that they find ways for everyone to enjoy games.” 

Ten year old Irene Gonzelez Martinez, also from Wormholt, explained how she learnt about the importance of pollinators, and how lots of insects, bugs and birds – not just bees – contribute to pollination. 

“It showed the importance of looking after habitats for our pollinators, and not just throwing rubbish outside. We have to make sure we leave space for them in our gardens too” she said. 

Elton Deliallisi, 10, had been practicing using MASERs – like lasers, but amplifying microwaves rather than light – to steer a miniature Mars Rover along a martian-like surface. 

Elton said: “It’s very exciting to come out and do things like this, which we wouldn’t be able to do in school.” 

“When I get older, I’d like to be an engineer because I love building 3D things and my favourite subject is maths." 

Imperial’s annual Schools Day is an opportunity for young people from across the UK to engage with some Imperial’s newest and most exciting research. It is held one day before the Imperial Festival – the College’s annual flagship free public event, celebrating the best of science, engineering and creativity.  

A date with discovery

Imperial Festival runs 12-6pm on Saturday 6, 12-5pm on Sunday 7 May. The free public festival will be held on Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ.

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