AI Explorers Manchester: AI Awareness Day Special! (KS3/12-14)

This in-person event is run in partnership with Credera and Ada College for schools in and around Manchester.

Celebrate AI Awareness Day with an inspiring, curriculum‑relevant student experience at Ada College, Manchester — the UK’s specialist further education college for digital skills.

This free, in‑person AI Explorers aligns with AI Awareness Day 2026 (4 June), giving Year 8 and 9 students the opportunity to explore how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the world around them and to understand the skills, pathways and careers that AI enables.

In addition to student workshops, Ada College will deliver a dedicated teacher session exploring practical and responsible uses of AI to support teaching, learning and workload. Teachers can attend either with student groups or as a standalone CPD opportunity.

Hosted at Ada College, students won’t just learn about AI, they’ll experience a specialist tech learning environment first‑hand. As part of the day, students will:

• Learn about Ada College’s specialist digital and technology courses
• Engage in industry‑led workshops delivered by Credera, connecting classroom learning with real‑world AI applications
• Explore post‑16 pathways into computing and tech
• Meet Ada teachers and current students, helping them visualise next steps into further education and beyond

The event brings together industry, education and careers guidance in one impactful day.

Students will:

• Build a clear, age‑appropriate understanding of what AI is (and isn’t)
• Take part in hands‑on workshops exploring how AI models work, how they are evaluated, and how prompt engineering influences outputs
• Develop critical thinking skills, including discussion of the opportunities, limitations and ethical considerations of AI
• Gain real‑world careers insight through a panel discussion and speed‑networking session with women working in tech and AI‑related roles

Teachers and schools will benefit from:

• A high‑quality, fully organised enrichment opportunity aligned with the Computing curriculum
• Clear links to careers education, industry engagement and further education pathways, supporting Gatsby Benchmarks
• An inclusive approach that encourages participation from girls and underrepresented groups in computing
• An event delivered by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) as part of the I Belong programme, meaning attendance can be used as evidence towards a school’s I Belong certificate

Please note

Schools are invited to bring a group of up to 30 Year 8 or 9 students who identify as girls or non‑binary, accompanied by a teacher/s.

Bookings must be made by teachers. 1 ticket per student is needed (teachers do not require separate tickets).

Learn more about the NCCE I Belong programme

Discover Isaac Computer Science - the free learning platform for A level and GCSE computer science teachers and students

Info: Introduction to the day and Credera

Info: Dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence! This workshop will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of AI, helping you understand how it works, where you encounter it in everyday life, and its potential to transform the future. Get ready to explore the building blocks of AI and become AI-literate!

Info: Roll up your sleeves and solve real world problems using AI. But that's not all – we’ll also discuss the limitations of AI, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Learn to think critically about AI's capabilities and ethical considerations.

Info:
Ever wondered how to talk to AI effectively? This workshop will teach you the art of prompt engineering – crafting the perfect questions and commands to get the best responses from AI systems. Discover tips and tricks to enhance your interactions with AI and unlock its full potential.

Info: Enjoy a complimentary lunch. We will be joined by Credera colleagues who'll be on hand to chat with students and answer their questions in a more informal setting.

Info: An enlightening panel session featuring accomplished women from various tech roles. Our speakers will share their personal journeys, challenges, and successes in the technology sector. Gain insights into different career paths and learn about the diverse opportunities in tech.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ada. National College for Digital Skills (Manchester), 16 Blossom Street, Ancoats, United Kingdom

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