Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineer) Alan Bates, of HMS Collingwood, was invited to the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium recently to help them celebrate International Men’s Day 2016.
The centre hosted a free event for 170 male students, aged 13-14 years, from local state funded secondary schools.
This one-day event, entitled Engineering a Future was funded by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and aimed to give students a taste of real life engineering challenges, whilst helping to develop student’s engineering skills, with the support of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) professionals.
Alan, who is a STEM ambassador, said “I was honoured to be asked to be the keynote speaker for Winchester Science Centres Engineer a Future Day.
“I tried to put into perspective for the students how practical engineering in the Royal Navy can change lives and in some cases save lives.
“Events like these can inspire people to take up a career in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) which will only be a positive for us in the RN and the country as a whole.”
Led by the Science Centre’s STEM team and 25 volunteer STEM Ambassadors with an engineering background, students embarked on a variety of hands-on activities, including engineering challenges such Robotic Bomb Disposal, an engineering careers speed-networking session and a live planetarium show in the UK’s largest standalone planetarium.
Emily Thorpe-Smith, Director of STEM Engagement at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, said: “Our Engineering a Future event was the perfect way to celebrate International Men’s Day 2016.
“It's very important to us here at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium that the day is recognised, and provides an opportunity for local male students to develop their interests and skills with the support of dedicated STEM ambassadors.
“We were delighted to welcome the students and hope we inspired them to consider a STEM career.
“We'd also like to thank the STEM Ambassador volunteers for giving up their time to help us to inspire a generation.”
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is Southern England's leading hands-on, interactive, science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK.
The Science Centre is a self-funded, independent educational charity and relies on Gift Aid and visitor donations to stay open seven days a week.
