The University of Portsmouth took schoolchildren on a journey into the future to mark the city's 100th anniversary
Racing robots on climbing walls, drones delivering dinner and a cutting-edge kit for Portsmouth FC.
That’s what pupils from primary schools in Portsmouth are predicting for the city in 2126.
They joined the University of Portsmouth for a look at how their favourite places might change in 100 years’ time, as part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the city.
Groups from Highbury Primary School and St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School came together to showcase their ideas, with the help of teachers and the University’s Student Ambassadors.
Some of the pupils' designs
10-year-old Gaby focussed her efforts on futuristic sport. She said: “I think rock climbing might be up in the air in 100 years, and you might have to do it against robots.
Anna, who’s 9, thinks bonfire night will be quieter in the future. She said: “I’ve drawn fireworks that are silent, so animals aren’t scared.”
9-year-old Madison wants to be an astronaut when she’s older, so drew a “galaxy-themed girl” and 10-year-old Eden thinks people in libraries will wear VR headsets, which will “read to them when they open a book”.
They’ve been very inspirational and positive. I particularly liked some of the ideas about what sport is going to look like, and how we’ll have our food delivered but there were also some very cool ideas about what learning might look like in the future.”
Louise Meredith, Senior Outreach & Transition Officer at the University of Portsmouth, was impressed by all their presentations. She said: “They’ve been very inspirational and positive. I particularly liked some of the ideas about what sport is going to look like, and how we’ll have our food delivered but there were also some very cool ideas about what learning might look like in the future.”
So, what could that mean for universities? 10-year-old Anna said: “I think they’ll have steering wheels and rocket engines so you can fly them around and won’t have to walk as much.”
An exhibition of the pupils’ designs will now go on show at their schools.
The University of Portsmouth is actively participating in Portsmouth 100, the city-wide year-long celebration marking 100 years since Portsmouth was officially granted city status in 1926.
As a sponsor of two Pride of Portsmouth lion sculptures, staff and students were invited to showcase their creativity with two designs by Aumrak Shute and Anna Nievrova taking pride of place on campus as part of the city-wide trail.
The University ran a free exhibition exploring 100 years of its history through archive photographs and student records at Ravelin Sports Centre. Academics and researchers also contributed to Portsmouth 100: Our Naval City Festival at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, delivering a series of free public talks exploring the city's maritime heritage, the role of women in the dockyard and the preservation of its historic buildings and collections. Through these initiatives, the University has helped bring the city's past to life while celebrating the people, talent and ideas shaping its future.
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