Dr Rebecca Bowden to become Heathrow Community Fund New Director

SATRO are pleased that Beccy Bowden will have the opportunity to assist Heathrow with their charitable plans. She has proved to be an outstanding leader of our Charity over the last seven years and indeed will continue in that role but with a reduced time commitment.

SATRO have a small but very focussed staff, supported by some 800 volunteers from all sectors across the county, enthusing 15,000 students each year with the career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

SATRO'S STEMX EVENT PROGRAMME - SUMMER TERM 2015

Over the next four weeks, SATRO will be delivering 15 events in various local schools, to over 1,200 students. By delivering these events, we aim to provide young people with a glimpse into the working world at every stage in their education. Our programmes reach young people from their early school years, to their final years in education. Over the next four weeks we will be delivering exciting hands-on science lessons, practical lessons in building and construction, company challenges, business games, careers events and much more. We do this to enable young people to raise their aspirations, identify their skills and passions and reach their potential. 

SATRO is thrilled that one of our Mega-Structures events is being supported by ExxonMobil. We will also be receiving support from many other companies, such as New Malden Rotary, Willmott Dixon, P&G, The Royal Navy, Pirbright Institute and Minted Box - to name just a few, who have offered their time to come and volunteer at our events. The value of volunteers facilitating our events is huge. Individuals offer young people exciting access to the world of work in a wide variety of different situations. Without the support of local companies we simply would not be able to deliver our events. 

If you or your company are interested in supporting us, please visit our website www.satro.org.uk or email contactus@satro.org.uk 

CHALLENGING BUSINESS @ CHANDLER'S FIELD

55  year six pupils (ten & eleven year olds) from Chandler's Field Primary School had a hugely enjoyable day  running their own companies. The students took part in a ‘SATRO Business Game’ - a business simulation game, organised by SATRO, a not for profit charity who offer opportunities to enhance relationships between schools and businesses, on 9th October.

SATRO's business volunteers alongside class teachers were at hand to offer advice and encouragement to the young entrepreneurs. As the students’ fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the discerning buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the intricacies of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their companies.  The Game threw the pupils some real challenges along the way - as the businesses settled down to regular trading, they were faced with paper shortages and one off, time limited opportunities!  The pupils gained some valuable hands on learning with some companies forging ahead, taking a clear lead.

Later in the day, in a quest to win the best presentation award, the pupils prepared a short performance, outlining what they had learnt throughout the day. Competition is always tough and the judges faced a challenging job selecting the winner. 

HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM MEGA STRUCTURES

On 16th & 17th July, SATRO delivered two Mega-Structures Challenge workshops to Students at The Howard of Effingham School. Over 180 students participated over the two days, supported by a number of SATRO's faithful volunteers, all of whom have expert knowledge and experience of the engineering industry. The students were required to design and build a Sports Stadium, made entirely with rolled up paper, held together with nuts and bolts. The students had to work their costings and use innovative ideas to deliver a 'pitch' to convince judges that their designs were the best. The students seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and now have greater understandings of engineering.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON BUSINESS @ PARKSIDE PREP

On Thursday 26th June, students from Parkside Prep School in Stoke D'Abernon formed 5 teams to take part in SATRO's Business Game. 

SATRO's business volunteers alongside class teachers were at hand to offer advice and encouragement to the young entrepreneurs. As the students’ fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the discerning buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the intricacies of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their companies.  The Game threw the students some real challenges along the way - as the businesses settled down to regular trading, they were faced with paper shortages and one off, time limited opportunities!  The students gained some valuable hands on learning with some companies forging ahead, taking a clear lead.

Later in the day, in a quest to win the best presentation award, the students prepared a short performance, outlining what they had learnt throughout the day. Competition is always tough and the judges faced a challenging job selecting the winner. 

One student commented,

 "I was very surprised at how enjoyable the days activity was and I will go away from this with a better thought on companies. I thought today would be a lecture in the performance hall. (I was pleasantly surprised.) I learnt that businesses aren't boring and are very competitive. I thoroughly enjoyed myself today and would like to thank the SATRO Volunteers for their help in today's activities!"

HARD WORKERS @ HEATHSIDE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Two SATRO Business Games were held at Heathside School in Weybridge last week. Over the two days, around 400 keen students from Year 10 took part. Participants had to start up a company and discuss their logo, company name and their roles within the business. They were then set the task of making and selling the goods to make a profit. The exciting  day ended with a presentation where the judges choose the winner.

One student commented, 

"The dynamics and roles of how a company functioned surprised me, but also helped me to learn how to work in a team to be successful. Working with different people I normally would not have, helped me to be more confident with my employability skills too."

Another commented, 

 "I was surprised by the freedom and how our choices affected us, we were given the freedom to make our own decisions with little or no guidance to the correct answer/product. I learnt how companies work and function with specific people doing very important and vital roles to make the company successful."

Some very valuable lessons!