On Tuesday 20 January, we were proud to welcome Burnley FC Men’s First Team players Hannibal Mejbri and Lesley Ugochukwu to Padiham Green Primary School to our STEM Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programme, for a truly inspirational ‘All SySTEM’s Go!’ session!
Year 5 pupils team up with Burnley FC players
Working alongside year 5 children, Hannibal and Lesley fully immersed themselves in hands-on STEM activities, using our state-of-the-art equipment to bring learning to life. Children collaborated with the players to score goals using the Sphero RVR+, programmed Sphero BOLTs to display team badges on LED matrices, and tackled problem-solving challenges that developed teamwork, creativity and coding skills.
These experiences sit at the heart of All SySTEM’s Go!, which aims to break down barriers to learning by delivering inclusive and accessible STEM opportunities, tackling deprivation, raising aspirations and helping to close regional skills gaps. By linking education to future career pathways and local employment opportunities, the programme empowers children to dream big and believe in what they can achieve.
The session ended with a thrilling whole-school challenge, as Team Hannibal and Team Lesley cheered on a player-versus-player RVR+ obstacle course showdown – with Hannibal narrowly taking the win to the delight of his supporters!
Players’ impact reaches far beyond the pitch
Helen Mitchell, Teacher at Padiham Green said, ‘Watching the children’s faces light up as they saw the players walk in was a moment in my teaching career that I’ll never forget…The children were so excited but so excited to show off the skills that they had been learning in their STEM sessions’. She added ‘As a local school, Burnley Football Club is something that the school and school community is incredibly passionate about…To then see their heroes, their team walk into their school it just made hundreds of dreams come true. The children can’t believe that famous star footballers wanted to come and meet them and experience their learning… We are incredibly lucky and eternally grateful that BFC have created a memory for every single child’
Education Manager Lianne Bradford added, “Visits like this demonstrate the unique impact players can have beyond the pitch, creating unforgettable moments, inspiring ambition, and showing children in our community that learning, opportunity and success are within their reach.”
For more information about our ‘All SySTEMs Go!’ STEM Programme, please contact Education Manager, Lianne Bradford: l.bradford@burnleyfc.com
All SySTEMs Go is kindly supported by SAFRAN | Restart | Michael Bailey | Gener8