Forty secondary school students were treated to a fun-filled weekend of outdoor activities to round off an educational programme inspiring young people to learn more about science and engineering.
Young people from four West Cumbria schools were invited to participate in a range of team building activities at Kepplewray Activity Centre, in Broughton-in-Furness, as a fun culmination of React Foundation’s ICanToo programme, run in conjunction with employability skills charity Inspira.
The educational ICanToo programme organised by volunteers at the foundation, supported by React Engineering, encourages the study of the fine arts and sciences within the North West, and includes educational university workshops, tours of engineering facilities, personal development, business-related tasks and regular individual mentoring sessions with Inspira.
To round off a successful programme, the 40 students from years nine to 11 from St Benedict’s, Westlakes Academy, Netherhall and Cockermouth secondary schools headed to Kepplewray where they participated in activities including archery, crate stacking and survival skills, followed by an afternoon of canoeing on nearby Coniston Water.
Kayleigh Daniels, a trustee at React Foundation, said: “The ICanToo programme aims to encourage students to achieve their full potential, and inspire them to study STEM subjects when they leave school and consider engineering, science or maths as a career.
“We are passionate about promoting the opportunities which exist, and we do this by running fun, informative and inspiring sessions to make sure the young people fully engage in the subjects.
“The residential stay at Kepplewray Activity Centre was the perfect way for the students to round off another excellent ICanToo programme as it challenged them to step out of their comfort zones and take part in fun, team building activities and they all got in the spirit and had a great time.”
The group of 40 students were led by representatives from Inpsira, a charity which supports employers to meet skills gaps across Cumbria and Lancashire, with members providing support and encouragement to the students throughout the activities.
Deb Naylor, Inspira’s area operations manager for the west, said: “The ICanToo programme is one of a range of activities funded by the React Foundation to raise aspirations, broaden horizons and give direction to West Cumbrian young people.
“Inspira advisers supporting the residential at Kepplewray saw first-hand how the programme helps young people grow in confidence, make new friendships, and develop a fresh perspective about their future lives on leaving school.”
The ICanToo programme is a free initiative run by volunteers at The React Foundation and enrols students in year nine and encourages them to achieve their potential and study STEM subjects further at GCSE and beyond.
