Danny & Laura: Making STEM more accessible

What happens when a young person discovers that being different isn’t a weakness, but a strength?In this episode of the Square Roots Podcast, Hannah speaks with Harrison about growing up neurodivergent, his love of STEM, the challenges he faced at school and what changed when he found an environment where he could flourish.Harrison shares his experiences of autism, dyslexia, bullying and mental wellbeing, alongside his journey through STEM, apprenticeships and practical learning. Together, Hannah and Harrison talk about finding supportive friendships, following your curiosity and learning to recognise your own strengths.Whether you’re a young person, parent, teacher or employer, this conversation is a reminder that different doesn’t mean less capable, and that the right people, opportunities and environment can make a huge difference.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:20 Meet Harrison 03:00 Discovering a passion for STEM 05:30 School, learning and finding strengths 09:45 Growing up neurodivergent 10:30 Bullying and feeling different 14:00 Finding the right environment 18:00 Hannah’s experience of autism 20:30 STEM in everyday life 27:00 Advice for neurodivergent young people 29:30 Mental health, resilience and asking for help 31:00 The Lightyear Youth Group 33:00 Advice for anyone interested in STEM 35:20 Final thoughtsLearn more about the Lightyear Foundationhttps://www.lightyearfoundation.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from Harrison’s story.Support & Resources (UK)If today’s conversation has resonated with you, please remember that support is available.BullyingChildline (under 19) https://www.childline.org.ukYoungMinds: Bullying Support https://www.youngminds.org.ukNeurodiversityNational Autistic Society https://www.autism.org.ukADHD UK https://adhduk.co.ukAmbitious about Autism https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.ukMental HealthYoungMinds https://www.youngminds.org.ukThe Mix (under 25) https://www.themix.org.ukMind https://www.mind.org.ukNHS Every Mind Matters https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-mattersEducation & EmploymentAccess to Work https://www.gov.uk/access-to-workACAS https://www.acas.org.ukInclusive Change: Mentoring for neurodivergent adults https://inclusivechange.co.ukUrgent HelpIf you’re struggling with your mental health or are worried about your own safety, please tell someone you trust.Samaritans (24/7): 116 123 https://www.samaritans.orgChildline (under 19): 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.ukShout: Text SHOUT to 85258 https://giveusashout.orgNHS 111 (England): Mental Health OptionIf you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.#Neurodiversity #Autism #Dyslexia #STEM #MentalHealth #Bullying #YoungPeople #Inclusion #SquareRootsPodcast #LightyearFoundation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the technology you use to learn becomes something you help to shape?In this episode of the Square Roots Podcast, Danny takes over as host for a conversation with Laura, an educator, programmer and creator of the guizero Python library.They talk about Laura’s journey from discovering HTML at school to teaching computing and creating accessible programming tools, and how Danny’s own experiences of coding have led him from using guizero as a student to helping make Flock XR more accessible.Together, they explore accessible design, collaboration and how AI is changing the skills we need in computing. Danny also shares how technology supports his own communication and how his experiences in STEM are influencing his ambition to become an occupational therapist.It’s a conversation about curiosity, accessibility and the unexpected places a passion for STEM can take you.Chapters00:00 Introduction 02:00 Meet Laura 03:00 Discovering technology and STEM 06:00 From computer science to teaching 08:00 From teaching to writing and Raspberry Pi 10:00 Danny’s experience with guizero 18:00 How guizero began 21:00 Learning, programming and finding the right tools 23:00 Favourite programming languages 26:00 AI and the future of computing education 29:00 AI, accessibility and communication 31:00 Danny and Laura’s work on Flock XR 32:30 From computing to occupational therapy 35:00 Accessible game development 35:30 Using an AI voice as an accessibility tool 36:30 Final thoughtsLearn more about the Lightyear Foundationhttps://www.lightyearfoundation.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, follow the podcast and share it with someone interested in accessible STEM, technology and inclusive design.Resources & LinksguizeroA Python library designed to make creating graphical user interfaces simple and accessible for learners.https://lawsie.github.io/guizero/about/Flock XRA 3D block-based programming environment. Danny and Laura discuss their work together on improving keyboard accessibility.https://flockxr.com/Raspberry Pi FoundationComputing education, resources and opportunities for young people and educators.https://www.raspberrypi.org/Code ClubFree coding clubs and resources helping young people develop programming and digital skills.https://codeclub.org/CoderDojoA global community of free coding clubs for young people.https://coderdojo.com/SpringpodVirtual work experience and career exploration opportunities. Danny discusses using Springpod as part of exploring occupational therapy.https://www.springpod.com/Becoming OccupationalDanny is documenting his journey towards becoming an occupational therapy student, sharing the experiences and ideas that are shaping the career he hopes to build.LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/becoming-occupational-7449085566949670913/Substack https://becomingoccupational.substack.com/Accessibility NoteDuring parts of this episode, Danny uses an AI-generated version of his own voice as a communication and accessibility tool, helping to reduce fatigue and support prepared questions.#STEM #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #AI #Coding #Technology #DisabilityInSTEM #YoungPeople #SquareRootsPodcast #LightyearFoundation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosie is your honest and silly host for this episode. She talks with Chloe, who is very passionate about sharing opportunities in STEM as a young mentor. Chloe is currently studying her A-Levels and mentions her favourite book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Chloe talks about the magic of being a young scientist, inspiring other young people and has adapted to many changing situations through her life, including being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2022. She has become a Registered STEM Ambassador, teaching staff at the hospital school how to make robots, and much more! Topics:A-Levels in STEMReadingEarly memories of STEMMagnetismHarry Potter spellsCancer diagnosisLow school attendanceStudying in hospitalBeing a STEM AmbassadorSpecial Educational Needs (SEN)Charlie the MoleRosie is Community Manager for Lightyear Foundation and interviews Chloe.Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/ Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandboxThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dylan is your cheeky and fun host for this episode. He talks with his science teacher, Eddie about cars and school science. Dylan has an incredible passion for cars, and discusses the challenges of new technology, and the wellbeing of deaf and partially hearing people. Dylan hosts a Car Quiz for his teacher Eddie, so listen until the end to find out how he gets on! Topics:ScienceBiologyCarsCombustion enginesFormula OneElectric Vehicles Listen out for the Dodge Challenger engine at the start! We couldn't find a Dodge Charger, Dylan's favourite car for this episode.  Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/ Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandboxThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lakhile is your authentic and fun host for this episode. He talks with his music teacher, Alphonso about making music, using different techniques to learn and progress in education. Lakhile is autistic, and has incredible skill in music creation with technology. He shares his insights and we hear from Alphonso about accessible apps for anyone to start making music. Topics:Music journeyMusic technologyTalented young peopleLearning the pianoProgramming keyboardsRecording musicListening to musicAdvice for young people  Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/ Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandboxThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi there, I am Rosie from Lightyear Foundation, where we work to break down the barriers disabled and neurodivergent young people face when engaging with STEM. You might be asking what STEM is? Well, it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, but we're interested in what it really means to disabled and neurodivergent young people. That's where Squar3roots comes in! Squar3roots is a podcast about STEM, but not as you know it. Here, young people are leading change in the community through inspirational conversations in STEM. Each episode, you'll hear about the science, technology, engineering, and maths topics which are important and personal to young people, through conversations with people that inspire them. So join us, and become part of our community where everyone is a scientist!Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/ Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandboxThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.