Double Olympic gold medal winner inspires academy youngsters at special event

School pupils were inspired by a double Olympic gold medallist and a neuroscientist during a special event at the University of Northampton.

Five-time Olympian rower Tim Foster MBE, joined neuroscientist Dr Jon Dodd for Create Your Future, an annual day run by the University’s Enterprise Club which promotes enterprise, creativity and problem solving.

Around sixty pupils from Northampton Academy, Weavers Academy in Wellingborough and Rushden Academy attended the event, which was held on Wednesday 14 June.

Tim about his Olympic experience and the importance of working together as a team when you are sharing a boat together.  He also talked about the dedication it takes to train day after day for the Olympics.  He passed his Olympic gold medal around the audience and there were many photographs taken.

Dr Dodd led a session which focussed on how websites and mobile phones influence young people and how the brain processes the information.  He also talked about future technology and careers in the tech industry.  He offered some memory improving techniques which will help the year 12 students with their exams and set some mind bending puzzles.

Enterprise Club Manager, Sharon Irwin, said: “The students have had a fantastic day and enjoyed taking selfies with an Olympic gold medal and then having their minds blown by Jon Dodd. We love seeing the reaction from the students to Create Your Future; we hope they go back to their schools inspired by the day.”