Brixton Wings at the Great Exhibition Road Festival
Workshop in Collaboration with upCYCLE LDN, Imperial College London & Alex Clarke
Date: Saturday 7th June
Location: Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London
Participants: 12 young people from Brixton Wings Saturday STEM School
Workshop Summary
This past weekend, 12 young people from Brixton Wings Saturday School had the unique opportunity to take part in a hands-on, immersive engineering workshop at the Great Exhibition Road Festival a major celebration of science, arts, and design hosted in South Kensington.
Delivered in partnership with upCYCLE LDN and Imperial College London Design Engineering student Alex Clarke, the session invited participants to co-create a full-scale wooden bicycle frame using salvaged parts and collaborative problem-solving. It was more than just a build it was a deep dive into design thinking, mechanics, and creativity.
The workshop began with warm-up activities such as mini-frame construction, team-based brainstorming around “what makes a good bike,” and fun introductions to the working space. As the session progressed, participants suited up in lab coats and safety gear, helping to further instil a sense of belonging and professionalism in a university-level setting. They then moved into the real build phase assembling, decorating, and choosing components for the full-size wooden frame.
In the final moments, the group gathered to name their creation, adding a sense of identity and pride to their build. The finished bicycle frame was later showcased at Imperial College, and may even feature on their official social media platforms a testament to the quality of engagement and the impact of the workshop.
How This Connects to Brixton Wings Saturday School
This workshop reflected the ethos of Brixton Wings' Saturday STEM School combining formal academic concepts with real-world application and interactive learning. The session covered STEM subjects such as engineering, design, physics (mechanical leverage, materials), and teamwork, while sparking interest in potential future careers in design, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Thanks to the generosity and energy of Alex Clarke and the upCYCLE LDN team, our young people left feeling inspired, accomplished, and connected to a world of possibility they might not otherwise access.
Outcomes:
Twelve participants aged 10 to 15 joined a 90-minute workshop. Everyone attended and stayed engaged. They completed five activities: mini build, frame assembly, decoration, parts selection, and the final presentation. All participants experimented with at least one new tool or technique, resulting in one wooden bike frame built together and displayed at Imperial College.
Qualitative Outcomes
Increased confidence: Participants worked in lab coats in a university environment, building a sense of professionalism and belonging.
Enhanced collaboration: The session required effective teamwork, communication, and decision-making.
Creative thinking: Young people applied design ideas to make their bike visually and structurally unique.
Exposure to higher education: Touring Imperial College and interacting with current students gave participants real insight into academic and career pathways.
Positive feedback: Verbal responses included words like “exciting,” “different,” “cool,” and “proud” during the closing reflection.
Identity building: Naming the bike and signing the frame added a personal connection to the finished product.
Thank You
Thank you to Alex Clarke, upCYCLE LDN, and Brixton Wings assistants Kieth, Joe, Iago, Bryan, and Mahider for helping deliver a workshop that aligns with our goal of providing accessible and meaningful learning experiences for young people in Brixton.
A big thank you to the talented photographer Jack Day for beautifully capturing the essence of this workshop in such a stunning way.
