Aspiring engineers, apprentices or anyone excited by the future of technology can get hands-on experience with the latest technologies (including virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence) at a free one-day event during Birmingham Tech Week.

The Makers Meet festival (www.makeuk.org) on Saturday 12 October — organised by Make UK (the manufacturers’ organisation) — has been specifically designed to capture the imagination of STEM undergraduates, postgraduates and apprentices between the ages of 16 and 24.

The programme includes: talks from high-profile speakers who are making an impact in the world of manufacturing, STEM and technology; a range of immersive, informative and aspiring activities, from getting hands-on with artificial
intelligence and robotics to creative idea sessions on how they can help solve ecological concerns; the opportunity to interact with renowned inventors and creators and ask about their experiences; plus skills advice and networking in an informal environment.

There will be four zones — the Tech Zone, the Demonstration Zone, the Makers Meetup and the Great Ideas Garden. The line-up of speakers and demonstrators includes: Katie Carroll (managing editor at Linkedin), who will be sharing top tips and insider knowledge that will help maximise your professional profile and make connections in industry; Scan LAB (an award-winning creative studio specialising in the use of large-scale 3-D scanning in architecture and the creative industries); and Hausbots (entrepreneurs and friends Harry Smith and Jack Cornes will introduce the world’s first automated painting and decorating house robots).