The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Visit inspires future scientists
A number of schools around Peterborough received a special visit last week in the form of a unique partnership between business and the military.
BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force have joined forces to launch a nationwideschoolsengineering and science roadshow. The idea of the partnership, which is now the largest ever schools programme of its kind, is to tackle the UK’s shortage of scientists and engineers by inspiring students to look ahead at future careers
The roadshow, now in its 11th year, provides a highly visual, educational andinteractive theatre presentation to students of both primary and secondary schools. The theme of this year’s roadshow focusses on the science of ‘waves’ – highlighting the three key forms, sound, light andwater. Thepracticaldemonstrations used in the show help pupils to understand how the physics of waves and engineering are used in the real world by aircraft and naval engineers – assisting teachers in tackling this difficult part of the national curriculum for science.
With the Royal Navy joining the programme in 2016, the schools roadshow now has the additional resources to visit more cities up and down the country.
Since i t s i nception i n 2005, the Royal Air Force and BAE Systems have brought the roadshow to more than 365,000youngpeopleat2,200 schools.
John Whelan, Human Resources Director of Programmes and Support at BAE Systems, said: “We are delighted that the Royal Navy has joined BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force in taking theroadshowto90,000young people.
“This helps meet the overwhelming demand for our roadshow from teachers and brings science, engineering, technology and maths to life for even more young people.’
Rear Admiral John Clink, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) fortheRoyalNavy, added: “TheRoyal Navyis delighted to be a part of this STEM roadshow to enthuse the talented scientists, engineers, technicians and researchers of the future.
“Thetwonew65,000tonne Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers entering our service, arebutoneexampleof peoplewithSTEMskillsdeveloping technological solutions to complex problems.
“It is my belief that events such as this will inspire the nextgenerationtowanttoplay a part in this technological journey so vital for the prosperityoftheUnitedKingdom.”