Roku and Form the Future Team up to Inspire the Next Generation
Pupils from Stanground Academy stepped inside one of the world’s leading technology companies when they visited Roku’s Cambridge office for an interactive STEM Project Day delivered in partnership with Form the Future.
Held at Roku’s headquarters on Cambridge Science Park, the event welcomed 24 pupils from Years 11, 12 and 13 with a strong interest in coding and app design. Throughout the morning, the young people explored careers in technology, heard from industry professionals and took part in hands-on challenges designed to build their confidence and understanding of the digital sector.
The day began with an introduction from Arquimides Pacheco, Global Programs & Partnerships Leader at Roku, who shared the story of Roku’s growth and its role in the global streaming industry.
The pupils were introduced to the work of Roku’s Cambridge office, which opened in 2022 and is home to more than 240 employees working across areas including software and hardware engineering, cloud technology, product management, IT support and communications. Through the session, the group discovered how Roku’s business spans several interconnected areas including streaming devices and the Roku operating system, content and advertising, with advertising accounting for the majority of the company’s revenue.
Pupils then took part in a career panel discussion featuring a Senior Research Data Scientist, Senior Product Manager working on Roku’s internal AI systems and Senior UX Product Designer.
The panel shared insights into their current roles and the varied journeys that led them into the technology sector. Panellists spoke about how many careers in technology are rarely linear, with employees often working across different industries before finding their way into roles in the streaming and digital technology space.
Artificial intelligence was a key topic during the discussion and described by one as “the steepest learning curve of my career.” Panellists encouraged the young people to see AI as a tool that can support learning and innovation, while stressing the importance of building strong foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Following the panel discussion, pupils took part in a series of interactive challenges led by Roku engineers and staff. In a hands-on Platform Scavenger Hunt, pupils explored the Roku interface and investigated how different features are designed to improve the user experience. Working in small groups, they analysed elements such as navigation, advertising placement, channel discovery and accessibility features.
Pupils also took part in an elevator pitch challenge, supported by Roku volunteers. The activity helped participants practise introducing themselves confidently and communicating their interests, skills and ambitions while receiving feedback from industry professionals.
Reflecting on the experience, pupils highlighted how valuable it was to engage directly with people working in the technology sector.
One pupil said:
“The elevator pitch and scavenger hunt made me more confident to speak to people, and the day makes me want to work harder in lessons.”
Pupils also reflected on the insights they gained into the range of opportunities within the technology industry. One pupil said they had learned about “the variety of different job opportunities at Roku,” while another highlighted “the variety of careers under STEM and the vast differences in their roles.” Another pupil noted that the discussions helped them understand “how prominent AI is becoming in companies and how widely it is used.”
Anne Bailey, CEO and Co-founder of Form the Future, also visited the event to see the day in action and meet the pupils and volunteers.
Anne Bailey said:
“There’s a real wow factor when young people step into a modern, innovative workplace like Roku. Experiences like this bring careers to life in a way that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom. Meeting professionals, seeing where technology is created and understanding the range of roles available can be truly transformational. We’re incredibly grateful to Roku for opening their doors and giving these pupils such an inspiring insight into the world of technology.”
Allegra Armas, Social Impact Project Manager at Roku, commented:
“Roku is proud to partner with Form the Future to transform pathways for the next generation of STEM talent. Our event was a great opportunity for pupils to connect directly with Roku employees and gain real insight into careers in the tech industry.”
This STEM Project Day was delivered by Form the Future as part of its work connecting young people with employers and helping pupils gain insight into the world of work. By bringing pupils into real workplaces and giving them the opportunity to meet professionals from a range of roles, the programme helps young people see how their interests and skills can translate into future careers in the technology sector.