Alleyn’s Strengthens STEM Links with MIT

Alleyn’s is proud to continue and strengthen its relationship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), made possible through the ambition of our staff and the generous support of our donors. This partnership reflects our institutions' shared commitment to excellence and innovation in STEM education, demonstrated last year when we opened All Studios to better facilitate our pioneering AiQ curriculum.

Thanks to this collaboration, Alleyn’s staff have been able to attend key MIT events, including the MIT AI & Education Summit and MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program courses, gaining valuable insights and ideas that enrich teaching and learning across the school.

For the second year running, we are delighted to welcome two MIT undergraduates to Alleyn’s, who have been supporting our Computer Science, CanSat and AiQ lessons this month. This year we are pleased to have Sophia Guan and Inimai Ana Subramanian, two young women who represent the very best of STEM talent and enthusiasm.

Sophia Guan, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Undergraduate Researcher said;

I love interacting with younger students and sharing my passion for computer science and AI. I find the experience of teaching rewarding and worthwhile, and I’m particularly passionate about encouraging young girls to pursue STEM!

As an undergraduate researcher with MIT App Inventor, Sophia contributed to the research and design of new curriculum while teaching high school students the fundamentals of app development. Prior to this work, she led a high school organisation focused on expanding access to STEM education, organising monthly workshops for middle school girls on topics including artificial intelligence, robotics, and mathematics. Over four years, Sophia helped develop the curriculum and delivered 40 hands-on workshops.

Inimai Ana Subramanian, MIT SuperUROP EECS Landsman Undergraduate Research & Innovation Scholar said;

I’ve been fortunate to have had amazing teachers that have sparked my interest in STEM and wish to provide the same experience for younger students. I love interacting with and helping students learn to benefit the next generation of technical professionals in society!

Inimai is a fourth-year student studying Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) at MIT. As an MIT SuperUROP Research Scholar, she explores how information is learned in neural networks and how their features can be more interpretable. She has also served as a Teaching Assistant for MIT’s Intro to Machine Learning course for the past two years, where she develops interactive labs and curriculum, test-solves and grades exams, and supports students in strengthening their conceptual understanding. In addition, she works as the Non-Profits director for MIT IEEE-HKN, leading a team of MIT EECS students to design hands-on technical projects for non-profit organizations that require additional computing expertise.

During their time with us, Sophia and Inimai are being hosted by Alleyn’s parents, helping them to feel part of the school community. Their visit, coordinated through the Alleyn’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, forms part of MIT’s Global Teaching Labs programme, which places talented undergraduates in schools around the world to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.

We are delighted to play a role in this global initiative and are grateful to our donors and parent hosts for making this opportunity possible. Partnerships such as this continue to enrich the educational experience at Alleyn’s and inspire our pupils to aim high in STEM and beyond.