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.

Faces of the festival – The softer side of engineering

 

How could you operate a wheelchair using only your chin? How can you press the pedals on a piano if you are paralysed below the waist? How can you climb into a car if you can’t bend your knees?

 These are just some of the problems that our engineers and volunteers get asked by the children and young people that we serve at MERU. We’re a charity that exists to improve life for children and young people with disabilities. We do this by designing and custom-making specialist equipment for use at home, at school or college, in hospital or at play. We are really keen to encourage young people to study engineering – and also to show that engineering isn’t just about nuts and bolts – but that it also has a softer, more human side.

We’re really looking forward to exhibiting some of the equipment that we design and manufacture for children with disabilities as well as telling you how you can get involved with our Design Club on Facebook. We hope that some of the schools will choose MERU as their charity to raise funds to help children and young people with disabilities. We’ll see you there!

Why I got involved with SATRO

 

Posted By David Hogg of Thales

My involvement with the Surrey SATRO started whilst I was studying for my A-Levels at school – Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Design Technology. As part of the Design Technology course, students were invited to exhibit their projects at various SATRO-organised events around the country. During my AS-Level year, I exhibited my Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired cube lamp at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, and during my A-Level year, I exhibited my solar-powered autonomous gutter-cleaning robot at St. James’ Palace in London – both projects generating great interest amongst the attendees at the respective venues. As well as increasing the exposure of my work and myself, these events also allowed me to network with other students of my age, and they gave me the chance to see a fascinating array of A-Level projects, ranging from artistic products to highly-complex computer-controlled solutions to design problems.

 During my studies at the University of Surrey (where I achieved a 1st class Honours degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering), the Surrey SATRO helped arrange my sponsorship to help offset the enormous cost of attending University. As part of the sponsorship, I worked with the engineering giant, Thales (I worked for the Aerospace Division in South London, making Avionics products for civil / military aircraft / helicopters) for 10 weeks each summer between the years of University. This not only gave me a taste of life in the ‘working ‘world’, it also gave me an excellent insight into the workings of a large engineering company, and I was able to gain hands-on experience with many of the state-of-the-art products that were being developed. As well as the salary I was paid during these 10 week periods, Thales also gave me financial support during my time at the University. This extra money made a huge difference to the cost of attending University, and the sponsorship also gave me invaluable industrial experience to put on my CV.

 Now in my second year of full-time employment with Thales, the Surrey SATRO is helping me develop my people skills by providing opportunities to work with school pupils of all ages, with activities ranging from  supervising school children with technical / team-building challenges to representing Thales at careers fairs – getting out in the community and making children more aware of what it is like to be an engineer in the working world. This is essential as many of today’s school pupils are tending to opt for less technically-demanding subjects at GCSE, A-Level and beyond – a trend that can possibly be reversed if they are exposed to the exciting opportunities and prospects of working in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths from an early age. The courses / events run by the Surrey SATRO and other divisions of STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths NETwork) are aimed at doing just that, and for the children to be able to work with past-pupils who are now in the engineering profession is sure to make a positive impression on them and their future career decisions.

Surrey schools and employers to showcase science and engineering projects

Redhill based CBSbutler, the specialist technical and engineering recruiter is getting involved in the local community to promote engineering, science, technology and maths as a career.  In conjunction with Surrey SATRO they are working to help promote and sponsor the Surrey SATRO Science & Engineering Festival on 24th June 2010 which will be held at The Brooklands Museum in Weybridge. 

Surrey SATRO has existed for more than 20 years as a charity which brings together educational establishments and business to provide a vital link by facilitating relationships through developing and running programmes within schools that enhance young people’s understanding of business, science and technology. The festival has been running for over ten years and offers teams from local schools the best possible opportunity to showcase high quality science and engineering projects devised and built during the current school year.   

As well as sponsoring two of the cash prize competitions on the day: ‘Best STEM teacher of the Year’ and ‘Best Year 9 project’, CBSbutler is sponsoring the ‘Working World’ marquee which showcases local STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) businesses and organisations.  These can range from Engineering and Biology Societies to multi-national companies and small charities.  Students will be able to interact with the exhibitors and ask real scientists and engineers questions about their companies, skills needed and personal experiences.

Commenting on CBSbutler’s involvement on the project, David Leyshon, Managing Director of CBSbutler said: According to a report by the Engineering and Technology board, the UK needs 60,000 engineers over the next seven years. Population changes mean that the number of school leavers will decline by 16% by 2019, leaving a reduced talent pool.  It is crucial therefore that more is done to encourage our young people into engineering and technical careers and that’s why we are very pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile project.”

Companies can exhibit free of charge at the marquee and full information can be gained by contacting swhite@cbsbutler.com. For more details visit http://www.cbsbutler.com/science-festival