ARK ELVIN ACADEMY STUDENTS
5 DAYS AT BANG
Over the course of five days, students from Ark Elvin Academy took part in a work placement at BANG, where they engaged in a variety of enriching activities.
The psychology interns at BANG ensured the placement incorporated strong cultural heritage elements, while also integrating psychological knowledge and a focus on skill development.
On the first day, students were tasked with creating a mind map to explore their understanding of culture and psychology, and to critically analyse where the two overlap. Creativity and teamwork were essential as students collaborated to produce collages, conducting research to make their creations not only visually appealing but also informative. This allowed them to showcase cultures they admire while honing their ability to work together.
The second day focused on giving students a platform to voice their opinions and be more vocal. They presented their collages to one another, providing constructive feedback. The day also included debates on psychological topics, such as the Nature vs. Nurture argument. The structured research time allowed students to gain deeper insights into psychology, while also enhancing their time management and communication skills.
Additionally, the students had the opportunity to ask the interns questions about personal statements, university applications, student finance, and workload management.
On the third day, a facilitator led a session on social media skills. Students were encouraged to plan video ideas, create scripts, and learn editing techniques. They worked collaboratively to produce three TikTok videos, one of which garnered over 2,000 views, providing them with hands-on experience in content creation and digital communication.
The fourth day featured a session on employability skills, with a focus on personal branding. Students were encouraged to reflect on their past, present, and future to better understand how they want to be perceived professionally. They also learned about the importance of LinkedIn and began creating profiles to document and share their experiences, helping them build an online presence for their future careers.
On the final day, STACKS facilitated a session on financial literacy, covering topics such as budgeting, saving, credit card management, investing, and business idea development. This practical knowledge encouraged students to consider their future goals and personal finances, equipping them with essential tools for success in both their personal and professional lives.
Overall, the five-day programme successfully combined cultural exploration with professional development, while weaving in psychological insights. By creating an environment of mutual learning, students gained practical skills in teamwork, communication, and content creation. At the same time, they deepened their understanding of how culture influences behaviour. The programme’s focus on creativity and innovation brought fresh ideas to the workplace, enriching both the office culture and ongoing projects.
The final outputs, from the students’ collages to their social media campaigns, demonstrated their ability to apply what they had learned in meaningful ways, while also contributing to the cultural heritage project.
Ultimately, the initiative was a valuable experience for both the students and the BANG team, reinforcing the importance of cultural diversity, psychological understanding, and collaboration in today’s workspaces.
Hearing the voices and diverse perspectives of young people, aged 16 to 18, was truly insightful and provided a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.
Words: Vitoria Scuissato
