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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[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...

[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...

[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]...

[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)....

[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...

[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...

[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...

[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...

[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...

[vc_row css=".vc_custom_1481557972295{padding-top: 20px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text]This workshop will cover the following: A brief overview of working in teams and applying analysis Techniques and tools to help face adversity and cope with pressure Some scenarios of leadership under pressure Some activities that explore your response to leadership scenarios Some resources to use when you are next faced with adversity Questions and answers The workshop will be pitched for families with activities differentiated for ability/experience; however, it requires maturity of thought that would normally be seen in ages 12+ Session Materials:  Pen and paper; Smartphone/Laptop/E-device for interactive resources[/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="17218" img_size="480x410" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Ben Ramsden [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text]Hello, my name is Ben and I have been involved with Potential Plus UK first as a...