Vanina’s Experience at My Big Idea
“The look on his face when he made it work was priceless.”
Vanina is a parent who attended My Big Idea with her two young children, aged five and two, after her eldest brought home a flyer from School 360 in London. She had never been to a STEAM event before, but by the end of the day, she was deeply impressed.
“It was so much fun to experience hands-on STEAM activities. The kids enjoyed it. It was very well-organised, with plenty of resources available,” she said. She appreciated that the activities were inclusive of all ages, allowing her children to take part together. “The LEGO was great… all of the staff were super helpful when they saw us struggling with the assembly and made recommendations that allowed the children to figure things out, instead of just telling them what to do.”
One of the biggest highlights for Vanina was the wind tunnel and coding activity. “The wind tunnel was amazing, I had never seen that, and it was such a hit. My 2-year-old was even super engaged with it!” she said. Watching her five-year-old successfully complete a coding challenge with the support of a patient staff member was a particularly special moment. “The look on his face when he made it work was priceless.” She saw how much pride the children took in their creations and how the event encouraged them to think, experiment, and problem-solve.
Reflecting on what her children gained, Vanina observed how the activities helped them build confidence and develop key skills. “The ability to try things out, to plan ahead, to check their theories by testing them, to make adjustments, and a great sense of achievement when they could make it work,” she said.
For Vanina, the experience was so valuable that she wishes these events were more frequent. “Absolutely, and I would attend one every month,” she said when asked if she’d recommend it to others. She also expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the staff. “I just want to say thank you for this session, and for the energy that all the staff members brought to the activities. They were so enthusiastic and patient. And thank you for the goody bags, they were very impressive.”
Vanina left knowing that My Big Idea had given her children more than just a fun day; it had sparked curiosity, encouraged problem-solving, and built a sense of achievement that would stay with them far beyond the event.