On Friday 27th January 2023, all Year 7 students took part in a 1 hour STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activity. This was hosted by our former School Captain, Richard Adamson, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and worked for GSK as part of his placement year. The session began with Richard explaining his journey into engineering since leaving SJWMS, followed by an introduction to STEM and the engineering approach to building structures. Students were then put into groups and asked to work together to build the tallest tower out of raw spaghetti and marshmallows. Those who built the tallest and sturdiest structure were rewarded with geometry sets and will soon receive certificates. The session concluded with some career advice.
Overall, the event was a great success. The results of the feedback survey show:
- 94% of Year 7 students learned something new
- 37% of Year 7 students are now considering a STEM-related career
What did the students learn?
- I learnt about what engineering projects you can achieve with STEM and what GCSE requirements you need for a career in engineering.
- I learnt that there is more than one type of engineer.
- I learnt that triangles are strong shapes and that they are used for building bridges and towers. Before the session, I thought the strongest shape was a square.
- I learnt that technology can be a big part of your future career.
- I learnt about the importance of teamwork and thinking big ideas through properly.
- I learnt a few new tools and advice for getting my dream job.
