As the lockdown continues and boredom begins to bite, BAE Systems has come to the aid of parents who are grappling with the challenge of keeping children amused and interested in learning.
Barrow-based engineers Caroline Brown and Naomi Pulfrey are the brains behind a series of activities which focus on Science, Engineering, Technology, Art and Maths (STEAM). The pair developed the project, which has taken off in schools around Barrow over the last two years, after joining BAE Systems as graduates.
While the onset of coronavirus may have prevented a series of projects taking place in schools, a free website is now hosting the tools needed to spark imagination which means they are accessible free at home.
“We set up the activities for after school clubs and so far around 200 children at key stages 1-4 have taken part,” Naomi said. “The aim was to help non science specialists teach the subjects but still bring interest and enjoyment. We thought that with the current lock down affecting access to schools it would be ideal to be able to share these resources even more widely.”
The team have produced a series of booklets now available online https://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/getting-ready-for-work/home-learning
Videos are also in production to show how the experiments can be carried out safely and on a budget.
“When we started out we wanted to show that anyone can get involved in science – it doesn’t matter what background you come from,” manufacturing engineer Caroline said. “Our aim is to show that art is as much a part of science as physics or chemistry and through this we hope to play a part in inspiring the next generation of engineers.”
In addition, as part of the company’s community investment programme, BAE Systems has partnered with the country’s biggest provide of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education STEM Learning.
Normally aimed at classroom based learning, the resources are also now available for students studying at home. Topics available through a free website include how distance can be measured using sound, bridge building, light and colour and even how to estimate the size of the moon. The website address is www.stem.org.uk/resources
“’BAE Systems is committed to supporting the STEM learning of young people,” Richard Hamer, BAE Systems Education & Skills Director, said. “It is great that our Submarines business graduates Caroline and Naomi have been using their creativity to support the home learning of students in this time, as part of our wider promotion of resources from our STEM engagement partners to support students and their parents and teachers across the country.”
As well as the website another BAE Systems partner, the Royal Academy of Engineering, has produced a 12 page booklet to highlight the range of engineering innovations that have changed the world available here. https://qeprize.org/news/qeprize-resources-for-students
