On Monday 2 June, we were excited to welcome the 8billionideas team back to the Prep School!
Key Stage 1 pupils participated in an interactive workshop called ‘Work Time Machine’. They started by exploring historical job roles such as lamplighter and town crier. Through group discussions, they considered the reasons these roles have disappeared over time, reflecting on how changes in technology and society have reshaped the work people do. Next, they moved on to look at some of the occupations that exist today and how these might be upgraded or replaced by new inventions. They finished the workshop by drawing and labelling pictures to represent how the world of work might look in the future.
During the workshop, Lyra (Year 2) commented that while roles like firefighters and police officers will remain essential, some of their tasks might be supported by robots in the future. Inspired by this, Ivy (Year 1) and Westley (Year 2) imagined a robotic police car capable of transforming into a fire engine to handle multiple emergencies. Meanwhile, Bella (Year 1) and her team were focused on designing a milk delivery app aimed at making doorstep deliveries faster and more efficient.
Key Stage 2 pupils were divided into two groups, with Years 3 and 4 finding themselves shipwrecked on a remote island. Their session began with an introduction to Billy Island – its inhabitants, its landscape and the difficulties it presented. To escape, each group was tasked with inventing a practical solution using only the limited materials they had on hand. These included water bottles, some insect repellent, a fishing net, a can opener and a first aid kit. The pupils’ inventions ranged from classic solutions, like crafting rafts with bottles for buoyancy, to imaginative ideas such as powering a raft with a monkey chasing a banana!
Pupils in Years 5 and 6 took part in the ‘Disruptive History’ workshop, beginning by exploring jobs through the ages, from coal mining to roles in renewable energy. They discussed some of the environmental challenges linked to industry, such as air pollution, water contamination and deforestation. Ashwin (Year 5) mentioned a family friend involved in vertical farming, which Tom from 8billionideas said was a strong example of sustainable innovation. The pupils then developed their own ideas to disrupt industry in positive ways, suggesting solutions such as water and solar-powered rubbish trucks and oil containers with protective ‘second skins’ to prevent leaks.
Kingsley’s partnership with 8billionideas was established in September 2023 and has seen students of all ages engaging in future-focused workshops designed to inspire and develop essential life skills, including entrepreneurship, problem solving and team working. With a mission to give young people the skills and belief to change the world, 8billionideas is helping to shape the next generation of changemakers. We’re excited to see where the partnership will take our Prep pupils as they continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.