STEM In The Workplace Event Held For 1200 Moray Schoolchildren
27 Sep 2018
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1200 P6 pupils from 40 Moray schools have attended a STEM In The Workplace event at RAF Lossiemouth. The annual event is a combined initiative between Moray Council and RAF Lossiemouth, and provides pupils with an insight into how science, technology, engineering, and maths are utilised in modern careers.
Moray schoolchildren try on a fast jet pilot's 'G suit'
Image by: Cpl Trish James
The event brings together a variety of RAF, defence contractors and local industry partners to showcase the diversity of STEM based careers locally and in the wider RAF/aviation industry by practically demonstrating how organisations use STEM in the workplace. The event seeks to inspire and enthuse young students to continue study in STEM based areas and to highlight that STEM skills are required in some unexpected roles.
The STEM In The Workplace event further represents RAF Lossiemouth’s commitment to the Moray Skills Pathway and Developing Young Workforce programme. The Moray Skills Pathway provides a framework for all young people in Moray to develop the skills, knowledge and attitude required for the workplace. It is a joint approach bringing employers and schools together, with STEM sitting at the heart of all strands of all developments. This event showcases that partnership and joined up thinking approach.
As well as contributions from the Royal Air Force, personnel from 12 companies and organisations were also present to provide pupils with practical experience of STEM subjects in a myriad industries; these included:
BAE Systems Specsavers Balfour Beatty University of the Highlands & Islands
NHS Scotland Rolls Royce Diageo Robertson Construction Group
UHI Moray College Veolia Royal Northern Countryside Initiative
Moray Council’s Chair of Children and Young People’s Services, Councillor Sonya Warren, said STEM in the Workplace, the joint initiative between RAF Lossiemouth and Moray Council, was a creative way of inspiring pupils to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or maths.
“Importantly, it’s a hands-on way for our young people to experience all the different options a STEM career could offer them. There are hundreds of different jobs within the STEM industries and it’s exciting to think of all the possibilities that lie ahead for these pupils.
“I’m thrilled to see such a high turnout – almost every primary six pupil in Moray and potentially the scientists and engineers of the future – and I hope it encourages them to think about pursuing a STEM career.”
Children were taught about the dynamics of fluids in everyday objects at the STEM In The Workplace event.
Image by: Cpl Trish James
Sarah Riley-Evans, the Community Development Worker at RAF Lossiemouth, works closely with Moray Council to provide opportunities for schoolchildren to visit the RAF station and better understand how STEM subjects are a part of the variety of jobs in the Royal Air Force.
“The annual STEM In The Workplace event is great for Moray pupils as it is an opportunity to get on to the base and experience the wide variety of RAF roles which need STEM skills. RAF Lossiemouth is delighted that this year the event has been run formally in partnership with Moray Council and further cements our excellent relations
“As we near the end of the RAF100 celebrations its apt that the STEM In The Workplace events continue to inspire the young people who may be the future of the RAF.”
Hands on sessions for the pupils included learning about the theory of flight, RAF Police forensic science techniques, virtual reality in the construction industry, computer coding and problem solving, science and technology in farming, and the power of liquids and hydraulics.
