The Big Bang at Bovington Tank Museum

47 Year 8 students headed out from Highcliffe to Bovington to find out about possible career routes involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths

In the first STE(A)M Careers day to be organised in Dorset, 47 Year 8 students headed out from Highcliffe to Bovington to find out about possible career routes involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths {STE(A)M}.

The journey was quicker than expected but there was still plenty of time for Haribo to be consumed, helping with energy levels early in the morning and preparing the students for a busy day. Arriving at 9:00am the students had some extra time in the museum with stands from a variety of companies enticing them in with spider like robots, flight simulators, all sorts of medical devices and of course sweets, pens, wrist bands and key rings!

The key message that was being put across by The Big Bang and firms such as BAE Systems was that there is a multitude of jobs in these fields, that not all jobs in STE(A)M industries involve cogs and grease. Some involve travelling, people, working for the government or big businesses. Some are technical in very normal offices, some require you to be outside or underwater. Textiles that are being developed for new purposes on Earth or even in space. It all comes from taking a career route in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts or Maths!

After some time talking to the staff on the stand to find out what they do, the students watched a show entitled “Engineering for Life” presented by Sciencemadesimple.co.uk. This was an interactive show that was underpinned by the idea that engineering ISN’T grease and cogs, but problem solving to make the world a better place. Starting with the invention of the pregnancy test and nappies that hold huge amounts of water, through ultrasound which looked into the neck of a Highcliffe student. It moved through Cryogenics and freezing eggs and flowers in liquid nitrogen at -197oC. A really interesting talk left the students wanting more and several of the presenter’s flowers were given a dunk in the freezing liquid before being crushed by our students.

After the show it was time to leave, perhaps the eyes were a little more open to the avenues available in STE(A)M careers and maybe you will see your daughter creating the next level of air traffic control systems or your son designing better fitting and functioning body armour. Maybe, just maybe, your child will be doing one of the jobs that us, as parents, don’t even know will exist for our children!

Year 8 Student: “I found it very interesting talking to the people who were running the hands-on stalls as they explained what possible jobs we could have in the future to do with STE(A)M. I also enjoyed the presentation that was given because it was very interesting but also interactive. I would love to go back again and have a bit more time to look around the trench replica and all of the stalls!”