Science and engineering rank high in job satisfaction survey

It’s not long now until the fun and games begin and preparation for the festival is in full swing – and we can’t wait! Not only will it be a fun packed afternoon of experiments but it will also recognise the achievements of local schools and give them an insight in to what working in science and engineering is all about.

With that in mind, we came across a Job satisfaction survey last week aiming to find the profession with the happiest employees. The survey was carried out in advance of the national VQ day – a day celebrating vocational qualifications.

We were pleased to see that of those surveyed the ‘happiness rating’ of scientists is 87% and is followed closely by engineers with 77%. We have mentioned before that evidence suggest that there are a lack of scientist and engineers – and in actual fact figures suggest that the UK  needs 60,000 engineers over the next seven years.

We hope then that this survey will go some way in highlighting that both engineering and science professions are rewarding but can provide happy careers.  There will also be plenty of opportunity to learn more about these types of careers and speak to employers at the festival.

Heathside School – Why we got involved

By Mrs K Walker – Heathside School

Our science department at Heathside School  received a flyer from Surrey Satro  and we thought what a great event this would be for our STEM club to exhibit some of the great work they had produced  They have all been really creative over the past year with innovations such as lava lamps using jam jars, simple chemicals, electronics and arts and craft materials. Equally, the event would give them a chance to see where their interest in science could really take them.

We’ll be exhibiting a range of projects including kites and electronic ‘steady hand’ games and obviously the students will get the chance to look at all the other projects on display – and to pick up some goodies from the working world marquee.

It’s going to be so valuable for the students to see the types of successful careers on offer when studying STEM subjects.  Everyone at Surrey Satro has a passion for STEM which really shines through – the festival celebrates this collective enthusiasm and Heathside School is delighted to be involved again.

Want to see some custard monsters?

Well its now only two months to the festival and we are hoping for a great turnout. We’ll be celebrating the skills and achievements of students and their links with local and national science and engineering companies. Last year we introduced the Working World Marquee in which 20 local companies exhibited hands on demonstrations of their innovations to hundreds of students. This included a bike powered disco, sky box technology and police forensic demonstrations. This year we are expanding this area and anyone can exhibit for FREE

The University of Surrey will be exploring the very strange world of custard monsters with non Newtonian fluids; the Institute of Civil Engineers will be project managing a team who will design and build a helipad using just paper and paper clips; Horizon Imaging will be showing off their invention of low altitude aerial photography using a radio controlled helicopter and Oculus will be showcasing their ovei Pod which allows you to create your own space in the real world. And that’s just a few – so why not join us! It’s a great opportunity to enthuse young people about engineering and it’s free!

Tickled pink!

It’s only three months now to the Surrey Satro Festival of Science and Engineering which will be opened by none other than Braniac’s own Jon Tickle at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.

The Festival has been running for ten years and aims to offer school teams the best possible opportunity to show the high quality of their science and engineering projects to guests from education, industry, commerce and professional bodies. The only criteria is that projects must have been devised and built during the current school year and come from Year 9 science clubs, GCSE, GNVQ, Diploma, AS, A2 or other areas of work.

It is free to enter, and there are a number of cash prizes open to all that enter including:

• Young Innovator’s Award – For a project demonstrating the effective
  application of student’s own original or lateral thinking (Key Stage 3/4).
• Team Achievement Award – For the project which best demonstrates
  progress made through teamwork as well as the commitment of time and
  skills.
• Personal Achievement Award – An award to the student that has
  demonstrated a high level of personal commitment and achievement.
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year – For a project combining a clear
  understanding of the market/user need with an inventive and workable
  solution.
• The CBSbutler STEM Teacher of the Year – To be awarded to the teacher showing the most commitment to Enhancement and Enrichment of students experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
• The CBSbutler Best Year 9 project – For the best Year 9 STEM Club project.

And that’s not all! There will also be a CBSbutler Working World Marquee which showcases local employers.  Students will be able to interact with the exhibitors and ask real scientists and engineers questions about the company, skills needed and personal experiences.

So whether you are an employer wanting to exhibit or a school wanting to take part – it’s all free – click here for more details.