squar3roots podcast

In this episode of the Square Roots Podcast, Hannah speaks with Harrison about growing up neurodivergent, his love of STEM, the challenges he faced at school and what changed when he found an environment where he could flourish.

Harrison shares his experiences of autism, dyslexia, bullying and mental wellbeing, alongside his journey through STEM, apprenticeships and practical learning. Together, Hannah and Harrison talk about finding supportive friendships, following your curiosity and learning to recognise your own strengths.

Whether you’re a young person, parent, teacher or employer, this conversation is a reminder that different doesn’t mean less capable, and that the right people, opportunities and environment can make a huge difference.

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Meet Harrison

03:00 Discovering a passion for STEM

05:30 School, learning and finding strengths

09:45 Growing up neurodivergent

10:30 Bullying and feeling different

14:00 Finding the right environment

18:00 Hannah’s experience of autism

20:30 STEM in everyday life

27:00 Advice for neurodivergent young people

29:30 Mental health, resilience and asking for help

31:00 The Lightyear Youth Group

33:00 Advice for anyone interested in STEM

35:20 Final thoughts

https://www.lightyearfoundation.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from Harrison’s story.

If today’s conversation has resonated with you, please remember that support is available.

Childline (under 19)

https://www.childline.org.uk

YoungMinds: Bullying Support

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

National Autistic Society

https://www.autism.org.uk

ADHD UK

https://adhduk.co.uk

Ambitious about Autism

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

YoungMinds

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

The Mix (under 25)

https://www.themix.org.uk

Mind

https://www.mind.org.uk

NHS Every Mind Matters

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

Access to Work

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

ACAS

https://www.acas.org.uk

Inclusive Change: Mentoring for neurodivergent adults

https://inclusivechange.co.uk

If you’re struggling with your mental health or are worried about your own safety, please tell someone you trust.

Samaritans (24/7): 116 123

https://www.samaritans.org

Childline (under 19): 0800 1111

https://www.childline.org.uk

Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258

https://giveusashout.org

NHS 111 (England): Mental Health Option

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

#Neurodiversity #Autism #Dyslexia #STEM #MentalHealth #Bullying #YoungPeople #Inclusion #SquareRootsPodcast #LightyearFoundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Square Roots Podcast, Danny takes over as host for a conversation with Laura, an educator, programmer and creator of the guizero Python library.

They talk about Laura’s journey from discovering HTML at school to teaching computing and creating accessible programming tools, and how Danny’s own experiences of coding have led him from using guizero as a student to helping make Flock XR more accessible.

Together, they explore accessible design, collaboration and how AI is changing the skills we need in computing. Danny also shares how technology supports his own communication and how his experiences in STEM are influencing his ambition to become an occupational therapist.

It’s a conversation about curiosity, accessibility and the unexpected places a passion for STEM can take you.

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Meet Laura

03:00 Discovering technology and STEM

06:00 From computer science to teaching

08:00 From teaching to writing and Raspberry Pi

10:00 Danny’s experience with guizero

18:00 How guizero began

21:00 Learning, programming and finding the right tools

23:00 Favourite programming languages

26:00 AI and the future of computing education

29:00 AI, accessibility and communication

31:00 Danny and Laura’s work on Flock XR

32:30 From computing to occupational therapy

35:00 Accessible game development

35:30 Using an AI voice as an accessibility tool

36:30 Final thoughts

https://www.lightyearfoundation.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, follow the podcast and share it with someone interested in accessible STEM, technology and inclusive design.

A Python library designed to make creating graphical user interfaces simple and accessible for learners.

https://lawsie.github.io/guizero/about/

A 3D block-based programming environment. Danny and Laura discuss their work together on improving keyboard accessibility.

https://flockxr.com/

Computing education, resources and opportunities for young people and educators.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/

Free coding clubs and resources helping young people develop programming and digital skills.

https://codeclub.org/

A global community of free coding clubs for young people.

https://coderdojo.com/

Virtual work experience and career exploration opportunities. Danny discusses using Springpod as part of exploring occupational therapy.

https://www.springpod.com/

Danny is documenting his journey towards becoming an occupational therapy student, sharing the experiences and ideas that are shaping the career he hopes to build.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/becoming-occupational-7449085566949670913/

Substack

https://becomingoccupational.substack.com/

During parts of this episode, Danny uses an AI-generated version of his own voice as a communication and accessibility tool, helping to reduce fatigue and support prepared questions.

#STEM #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #AI #Coding #Technology #DisabilityInSTEM #YoungPeople #SquareRootsPodcast #LightyearFoundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosie is your honest and silly host for this episode. She talks with Chloe, who is very passionate about sharing opportunities in STEM as a young mentor. Chloe is currently studying her A-Levels and mentions her favourite book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.

Chloe talks about the magic of being a young scientist, inspiring other young people and has adapted to many changing situations through her life, including being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2022. She has become a Registered STEM Ambassador, teaching staff at the hospital school how to make robots, and much more!

Topics:

• A-Levels in STEM
• Reading
• Early memories of STEM
• Magnetism
• Harry Potter spells
• Cancer diagnosis
• Low school attendance
• Studying in hospital
• Being a STEM Ambassador
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Charlie the Mole

Rosie is Community Manager for Lightyear Foundation and interviews Chloe.

Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts

Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/

Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandbox

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dylan is your cheeky and fun host for this episode. He talks with his science teacher, Eddie about cars and school science. Dylan has an incredible passion for cars, and discusses the challenges of new technology, and the wellbeing of deaf and partially hearing people.

Dylan hosts a Car Quiz for his teacher Eddie, so listen until the end to find out how he gets on!

Topics:

• Science
• Biology
• Cars
• Combustion engines
• Formula One
• Electric Vehicles

Listen out for the Dodge Challenger engine at the start! We couldn't find a Dodge Charger, Dylan's favourite car for this episode.

Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts

Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/

Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandbox

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lakhile is your authentic and fun host for this episode. He talks with his music teacher, Alphonso about making music, using different techniques to learn and progress in education. Lakhile is autistic, and has incredible skill in music creation with technology. He shares his insights and we hear from Alphonso about accessible apps for anyone to start making music.

Topics:

• Music journey
• Music technology
• Talented young people
• Learning the piano
• Programming keyboards
• Recording music
• Listening to music
• Advice for young people

Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts

Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/

Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandbox

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi there, I am Rosie from Lightyear Foundation, where we work to break down the barriers disabled and neurodivergent young people face when engaging with STEM.

You might be asking what STEM is? Well, it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, but we're interested in what it really means to disabled and neurodivergent young people.

That's where Squar3roots comes in! Squar3roots is a podcast about STEM, but not as you know it. Here, young people are leading change in the community through inspirational conversations in STEM.

Each episode, you'll hear about the science, technology, engineering, and maths topics which are important and personal to young people, through conversations with people that inspire them.

So join us, and become part of our community where everyone is a scientist!

Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts

Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/

Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandbox

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.