If you have school age children or are passionate about the importance of education, you'll probably be aware of the general push towards the STEM subjects. That's science, technology, engineering and maths. Of course, the world needs these and studying towards careers in these disciplines is sensible, right? Today's guest Nick Corston has an alternative view. In the last ten years, Nick has been described as a man on a mission by Wired magazine and the Guardian. Dad and co founder of community interest company  STEAM Co. joins me to talk about that mission and why the A in STEAM is so vital.

Nick Bio

Nick’s mission is to’ raise a million quids to inspire a million kids to aim higher than his high viz’, powered by their creativity and our communities. Sir Ken Robinson and Prof Sugata Mitra have both endorsed Nick for a TED Fellowship.  In the last year he was a finalist as Art Council England’s Digital Evangelist and for Digital Transformation, a Finalist in the Charity Film awards awards and listed in the #EdTech50. Prior to founding STEAM Co. to help connect our kids with their art and communities with their schools, Nick was a pioneer launching two of the country’s first digital agencies and creating the first beer ad on a CD ROM for Heineken, Microsoft’s first web cast and helping launch the PS2.  But Nick says he’s just a dad, and if you have any tricky questions to ask a teacher. He now flies round the UK in #StarShip22 and blames Chris Dyson and John Jackson for most of the adventures he’s had in the last few years with cardboard, code and creativity.

This year his work was recognised and turbo charged when McLaren put the STEAM Co. logo on the front of their cars at the British Grand Prix and made this film about STEAM Co's work.

● [02:37] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views

● [04:37] – Why Nikki wanted to talk to Nick

● [05:36] – Nick talks about three key pillars of his skills, being a Blue Peter kid and the origins of STEAM Co.

● [13:00] – Sir Ken Robinson and Seth Godin, Nick discusses their views on creativity and art.

● [14:55] – Nikki shares a story about creativity at her primary school

● [16:10] – Nick’s view on how schooling has changed from the environment he experienced

● [16:44] – The origins and creation of Mr Bear and his world.

● [18:10] –  STEAM Co. and how it works

● [20:02] – The history and future of STEAM Co.

● [26:32] – Living the Dream?

● [28:37] – Challenges for community involvement and funding

● [36:44] – The Unbox Festival, SEE Monster and Benji

● [40:59] – Creative Adventures - Tip for not feeling good enough

Four Creative Nuggets

• “Allow your children to be bored, because boredom is the engine of imagination.” Prf Guy Claxton
• “I've never considered not using all the talents I have.”
• In the past, “I think we took for granted that creativity, arts and crafts and drama were just an accepted part of the curriculum, part of the thread. ”
• “Art is the coal of the creativity revolution.”

Links

Nick

https://www.steamco.org.uk/

https://www.nickcorston.com/

#ourmillion23

The Edge