The vPlus Festival is an online festival from Potential Plus UK, full of workshops, webinars and discussions for young people with enquiring minds, their families and schools.

 

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February 15, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you have a kind voice in your head, encouraging and supporting you?  Or do you have a mean voice in your head, telling you to “do better” “work harder” or “be normal!”?  It can be very challenging to navigate the critical voice, especially if you are perceived as ‘different’.  Kathryn will explore the critical voice and the negative impact it can have on mental and emotional health and overall well-being.  Through simple exercises and an even simpler philosophy, she will share ways in which you can calm your judgemental voice (which is perfectly natural) whether you are a child, teen or adult, and develop ways to soothe the pain that can occur when things are difficult or...

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February 14, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Toni Collette (actress, singer, songwriter) says, “The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world.”  Knowing ourselves involves awareness, affirmation and appreciation of our thoughts, feelings and our bodies. Physical health and emotional health are so closely intertwined in “the mind-body connection”. Our chemistry and biology impact our mood and emotions, as well as thoughts and beliefs. All of these factors combine to play a major role in influencing our stress, physical health and level of connection with ourselves and others. We will explore our neurobiology and how we are wired to subconsciously ask “Am I safe?”  Safety is much more than the absence of threat – it is more about the...

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February 11, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wonder: The feeling of amazement and admiration caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar. The feeling you might have reading a book; admiring a breath-taking landscape; listening/watching/seeing/touching/tasting a creation that moves you and so much more. What are the 7 Wonders of the Modern World? How were they selected? How are they different to the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World? What else do you think should qualify as a Wonder of the World? I will be talking about some of the wonders I have seen and those I am looking forward to discovering. What do you want to see? [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Session Presenter [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557797062{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_single_image image="16163" img_size="full" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Pantéa Shafie [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text] Pantéa is Potential Plus UK's Communications and...

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February 7, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the session, Japanese teacher Hitomi will discuss the importance of nature and the seasons to the Japanese appreciation of colour. In Japanese art, food and textiles, colours play a central role, and Hitomi will encourage participants to think about the colours in their lives and how they shape the way they feel and think.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Session Presenter [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557797062{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_single_image image="16710" img_size="full" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Hitomi Stuchbury [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text]I was born in Tokyo and lived there most of my life –my speciality is early education, and I worked at special school for primary children and nurseries in Japan. I moved to the UK and Milton Keynes in 2010 with my British husband, and we have two boys. Since...

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February 6, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Is Netflix a Mindreader? In this session we will look at the Netflix recommendation engine and the complex web of data that goes into recommending movies for us to watch. We will try creating our own moviedata-web to understand and appreciate the data behind the scenes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Session Presenter [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557797062{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_single_image image="16668" img_size="full" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Dhivya Venkatachalam [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text] Dhivya Venkatachalam is a technologist who has spent the last two decades working with and designing software systems. Also a technophile, she enjoys the evolution of tech & intelligence machines. She is a STEMNet Ambassador passionate about getting more kids enthused in Science and Tech. [/vc_column_text][edgtf_separator position="center" color="#888888" thickness="1"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481625599062{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}"][vc_column][tt_event_hours][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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January 23, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]How to write and understand computer code. Learn how to make interactive games and learn key concepts for simple BLOCK coding on your laptop or desktop. Its hands-on, so you will need a working keyboard and mouse! Learn how to draw computer graphics and make your own simple games using block programming that look like LEGO bricks! Learn how to make easy interactive and FUN games. We shall be linking to online coding sites Philip uses in schools. Session Details: We shall learn how computer programming works (with demonstrations you can try at home). We shall learn how to DRAW on screen (or use a mouse). What to do and how to IMPORT a drawing (from another program)....

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January 23, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]You need imagination and a little bit of skill to ‘Write a story’, ‘Compose, photograph’  and then ‘Edit’ your film. This session is an introduction to what is involved in making your own Stop Frame Animation (think Wallace and Gromit). Philip will show you how you can animate your toys or models and add titles, captions and credits. How to write a story (STORYBOARDS), find CHARACTERS (Toys models and PROPS), add TITLES, ‘splats’ and CAPTIONS and even add a range of SOUNDS! While Age guidance is 10+, younger children are welcome but may need help to create their animations. Parents are welcome to assist  all ages (under supervision of their children!) Animation Materials:  1) A laptop 2) Low cost usb webcam...

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January 17, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]During this session we will be transforming an old book into a decorative hedgehog ornament. We will be filling our hedgehog full of positive memories, funny things and ideas. Creating the hedgehog shape is very simple but takes a little patience and manual dexterity to fold and crease the pages. If you want to join in, there will be an opportunity to chat at this time about what makes you happy - or hedgehogs - or hedgehogs which make you happy!  Once you have the basic shape it can be decorated to personal choice using whatever items you have available. You might like to use a book which is meaningful to you – perhaps one that you have...

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January 1, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Failure is one of the most challenging aspects of life for neurodivergent folks to manage.  We spent so much time thinking about it, worrying about it, planning for it, and then dealing with it.  But failure is an unavoidable part of life.  Instead of becoming hopeless when faced with that reality, this talk focuses on how to identify the positive aspects of failure, from teachable moments to opportunities to build resiliency.  By accepting the reality and inevitably of failure, we lessen its negative impact on us.  This talk will focus on how to build resiliency and navigate failure in the best possible ways.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Session Presenter [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557797062{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_single_image image="17237" img_size="full" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Dr Matt Zakreski [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text]Matthew...

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January 1, 2023

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]An hour of unusual and fascinating science experiments and investigations all based on items you can find in the kitchen cupboard!  Please Note That Parents Must Supervise This Session. Session Materials:  https://virtualplusfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kitchen-Cupboard-Science-Resource-List.pdf  Most of these items will be available in your cupboards or you can buy cheaply at the local shop. Please do not show the list to your children as there is one item on there we want to be a surprise during the experiment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Session Presenter [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557797062{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_single_image image="12965" img_size="full" add_caption="yes" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Aileen Hoare [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text]Aileen Hoare is the former Chair of Northwest Gifted and Talented and has been a regular at Potential Plus UK events for many years. She has vast experience of delivering...

About Us

The vPlus Festival is a fundraising event for Potential Plus UK, a leading UK charity in the field of High Learning Potential (gifted/more able) and Dual or Multiple Exceptionality (gifted/more able + special educational need or disability). If you would like to find out more about how we support children and young people, their families and schools please see our parent website Potential Plus UK

Contact Us

01908 646433

Potential Plus UK
The Open University
Vaughan Harley Building Ground Floor
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

© 2023 Potential Plus UK | Charity Number 313182 | Company Registered 905037 | All Rights Reserved