A unique children’s innovation book set in Liverpool is the focus of a new roadshow visiting the city region’s primary schools, with a helpful robot dog in tow.
The Animates: Learning in Liverpool, written in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, follows the adventures of six animal creatures who crash land in Knowledge Quarter (KQ) Liverpool and must explore a range of different technologies around the innovation district in order to repair their ship and return home, aided by Splodge the robot dog.
A copy of the book, accompanied by bespoke lesson plans, was delivered to every primary school in the city region at the end of last year.
Now, Liverpool-based author Natalie Reeves Billing is embarking on the interactive showcase tour around Liverpool City Region, aiming to reinforce the central ambition of the book by inspiring young minds about the types of innovations and careers pathways open to them.
The roadshow sessions got underway at Forefield Infant School in Crosby, featuring a reading by Natalie and co-host Jude Lennon, robot dog demonstrations from the Manufacturing Technology Centre and LJMU School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, rocket ship building workshops and a sing-along to the newly-created Animates theme tune.
The Animates: Learning in Liverpool is part of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s KQ Futures programme, which is funded by the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, part of the UK Government’s Investment Zone programme. The book was devised with support from CBRE, Kier, Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, Lloyds, Morgan Sindall and Sciontec.
Rachel Newman, inclusive innovation officer at KQ Liverpool, said: “When we launched the book last year, it was an instant hit with pupils and teachers alike, and we were thrilled to provide all local schools with a copy. The roadshow feels like a natural extension of that work – finding new, creative ways to engage with young people and open their minds to the endless opportunities for innovation careers here in their home city.”
Reeves Billing added: “The Animates is one of my most cherished projects. Children each have their own special talents and gifts, and the purpose of this book is to show them how their own skills might fit within the innovation sector. It is wonderful to see the children engaging so enthusiastically with the story and enjoying our new theme song and hopefully the session has made a small but lasting impact on their future outlook.”
Mark Hall, head of Year 1 at Forefield Junior School, said: “It’s never too early to introduce young minds to concepts around science or technology, and we want to inspire them to explore a broad range of ideas and opportunities. The Animates book is a great way to do this and reinforce the fact they can build impressive skills and careers within a few miles of where they live. The robot dog was also a very popular visitor!”
