The hosts of the 2027 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in Birmingham are committing to inspiring the next generation of industry professionals through a “Curiosity Box” they’ll showcase to Year 6 children in the run-up to, and at the event.
A Curiosity Box is an established curriculum-linked STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education resource created by organisation The Curiosity Box in partnership with others such as The Faraday Institution. It is designed to bring hands‑on science, technology, and engineering activities into classrooms to stimulate young minds and make them think about the future.
The organisers are expanding this in time for ITS World Congress at the National Exhibition Centre in October 2027, by developing additional activities themed around intelligent transport systems. This will introduce children to concepts such as system thinking, transport safety, electrification, Net Zero, and a greener future in mobility, building excitement ahead of the Congress and leaving a long‑term legacy in schools across the West Midlands and beyond.
People working in ITS, with all levels of experience, are being invited to take part in shaping this important resource, helping shape the activity content, narrative, educational framing, and potential industry involvement.
“One of the main benefits of hosting our the ITS World Congress in 2027 is to inspire the next generation,” explained Executive Director (Interim) of Transport for West Midlands Sandeep Shingadia. “By working with the Curiosity Box and Faraday Institution – people who live and breathe inspirational thinking – we’re taking a major step forward in fulfilling this goal and welcome our existing transport technology experts to get involved to make this as valuable as it possibly can be.”
The organisers TfWM are holding a Planning Workshop on 22 January 2025, in-person and online. The in-person aspect will take place at Transport for West Midlands’ Summer Lane offices in Birmingham, where The Faraday Institution and a collection of similar minded professionals from all walks of life will be coming together along with The Curiosity Box team to create exciting activities aligned to the National Curriculum. The workshop will consist of participants being walked through the existing box, demonstrate activities, and we will all begin to look at shaping the new Congress‑aligned component which will run alongside the future work and planning for the ITS World Congress in 2027.
“We’re excited to collaborate with the ITS Congress team to bring a new dimension to the Faraday Battery Boxes,” added Dominic Grantley-Smith, Head of Skills and Talent Development at The Faraday Institution. “Already reaching over 15,000 students across the UK, this new activity will help school pupils understand electrification and the journey towards a zero-emission future. Through collaboration , students will discover the technologies linked to self-driving cars, a key part of electrification.”
To find out more about the opportunities linked to this activity such as sponsorship of the Curiosity Boxes which are going into schools, to be part of the planning team or to find out more, contact Katie Miller-White.
The ITS World Congress takes place from 25-29 October 2027 at the NEC, Birmingham. It is organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe and hosted by Transport for West Midlands. This event is widely agreed to be an exciting opportunity for the West Midlands to showcase the city, its history and the strides being made in moving forward the region’s Transport Eco System.
To learn about sponsorship or exhibition opportunities at this major global event in 2027 contact Jordan Cowley.
(Picture – a Faraday Institution battery box)
