340 school pupils visited Surrey Sports Park in Guildford yesterday to
spend the day with professional scientists and engineers and to learn about
opportunities in science and technology industries. The students, aged 12 to 13, were taught
about career opportunities, ahead of making their choices of GCSE subjects.
At this year’s TeenTech event on Wednesday, activities included
solving a forensics crime scene, running a production line and becoming a virus
detective. Students could create digital art and see a planet show in an
inflatable mobile planetarium. There was
an amazing range of 30 companies exhibiting this year including Virgin
Atlantic, Sony, Virgin Media, Surrey Satellites Limited, Glaxo Smith Kline,
Laleham Healthcare, The Pirbright Institute and Air Products.
TeenTech was set up in 2008 and is the brainchild of Chris Dodson,
from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Bang goes the Theory (and formerly
Tomorrow’s World) presenter Maggie Philbin - who is also currently leading a
labour-backed taskforce to look at the IT skills shortage in the country’s
workforce. The event is industry-led and
run in conjunction with Surrey educational charity SATRO.
Maggie Philbin said "It's fantastic to see the enthusiasm for
TeenTech in Surrey from young people, their teachers and the supporting
companies. It's never been more important for young people to be well informed
about career opportunities and the different pathways which lead to them. Many
students at TeenTech surprise themselves with new found interest in science and
technology and then
want to take a closer look at industries they may previously have
dismissed as 'not for them"
David Leyshon, Managing Director of CBSbutler said “’Young people
today have a myriad of work options. If we are to attract them into STEM
careers and thereby address the acute shortage of technical skills, it is vital
to stimulate their interest and promote the fantastic opportunities. That
is why CBSbutler is proud to support the efforts of SATRO and TeenTech in
achieving these aims.’’
We know the students really enjoyed the day and that it made a huge difference:
In the morning 56% were fairly or very interested in becoming a scientist compared to 75% at the end of the day
In the morning 49% were fairly or very interested in becoming an engineer compared to 68% at the end of the day
72% arrived thinking that people working in STEM were clever interesting and well paid compared to 87% who left the event feeling that way
So a very significant shift in attitudes, which is what we are trying to achieve!
#InspireTomorrowsInnovators
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