Pupils work on warship engines for science week

Pupils at a Gosport school got hands on with warship engines during National Science Week.

A team from the Royal Navy’s Information Warfare Division took a model of a gas turbine engine to Elson Junior School to help with the school’s theme of transport.

Children from Year 6 were asked to help make the model engine more efficient – and they managed to achieve a more than 60 per cent increase in engine efficiency.

“I wanted to show students how exciting STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – is and hopefully persuade some that studying STEM subjects will lead them to successful and rewarding careers,” said Lt Peter Taylor.

Each class from Year 6 was given a scenario with the gas turbine model and split into teams for their work. Points were awarded for such things as teamwork, creativity, knowledge, design and the most efficient model reading at the end of the day.

No child went home empty handed though as the RN handed out Royal Navy/Royal Marines goodie bags.

The RN also arranged for BAE Systems to demonstrate their 3D visualisation suite to show pupils how new technology helps with designing warships.

Lt Cdr Kate Morris addressed pupils from Year 4 while WO1 Graham Jackson spoke to Year 4 pupils as they worked on parachute designs.

The school’s Heroes Club – children with parents in the Armed Forces – thanked the visiting personnel with a special lunch.

Later this year the school plans to hold a non-uniform day to raise money for a charity chosen by the IW division at Navy Command HQ.