Drones, rocket launching and robotic arms were just a few of the activities Year 10 pupils from Byrchall High School and The Deanery High School enjoyed in an action-packed STEM event at Wigan & Leigh College’s Pagefield centre.
The event, funded by Greater Manchester Higher, included a carousel of fun and engaging STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).
The sessions were led by expert tutors from the College’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering and highlighted the many exciting career opportunities available to learners in the future.
Workshops included a projectile motion rocket launch, an electrical engineering session with a robotic arm and getting to grips with flying a drone.
Pupils also experienced construction and civil engineering with tasks which involved building and designing a bridge capable of supporting weights and a plumbing matrix challenge.
Head of Engineering, Phil Collier, said: “The event was designed to raise aspirations and allow these young people to see that there are lots of career opportunities in STEM subjects and different routes to get into industry.
“It was also pleasing to see the number of females we had attending and engaging as traditionally these sectors tend to attract male employees and there is a high demand for female recruits.”
Pupils also an opportunity to visit an employer market place where they could talk to the Colleges’ degree apprentices and employers Bam Nuttall, Seqirus and Create Education about the world of work and opportunities and developments in the industry.
Catherine McGilvery, Head of Engineering at The Deanery High School added: “Events like these are invaluable to get young people interested in STEM subjects.It gets them thinking about taking it as a career in the future. “We have just started running engineering for Year 10’s and it’s one of our most popular subjects and this event helps to enhance their learning and we are grateful for this opportunity.”
The events host, Greater Manchester Higher, is a collaboration of universities and further education colleges from across the region, who work together to provide advice and guidance about higher education.