Crew of UK's newest warship introduce Glasgow school children to technology and engineering

Sailors from HMS Glasgow introduced youngsters in their namesake city to the potential of careers in science, tech and engineering.

Supported by a team from nearby Clyde Naval Base, the sailors deployed Sphero robots, snap electrical circuits, and pneumatics kits to help teach the excited pupils of Holy Cross Primary School about basic programming, building circuits – and how to have fun whilst doing it.

“I enjoyed doing the air thing” said 11-year-old Abdullah, referring to the pneumatics kit. “It was really cool seeing how it could move something. This experience really worked my imagination.”

When HMS Glasgow enters service later this decade she will be at the leading edge of naval warfare – especially hunting down hostile submarines. The 8,000-tonne frigate is packed with the latest sensors, weaponry and systems, but also advances in engineering making her as efficient and environmentally-friendly as possible.

The sailors’ visit came in part thanks to their ship’s Sponsor, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales (known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland).

“With thanks to the Princess of Wales, we are proud to be supporting Place2Be and through the charity we’ve formed affiliations with two Glasgow primary schools, Gowan Bank and Holy Cross, which is why we are here today,” explained Commander Phil Burgess, the ship’s Senior Naval Officer.

The Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) day at Holy Cross is the first of several planned future school engagements.

The ship’s company of the first of the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 submarine-hunting frigates – being built on the Clyde by BAE in Scotstoun and Govan – also presented a cheque for £2,000 to Place2Be, which will be used to directly support both of their affiliated schools here in Glasgow.

Holy Cross headteacher Claire Gray said: “The kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience and got a great insight into the technical side of being an engineer. The children were very well behaved and so well enthused by the STEM training. The money from Place2Be will enhance our ability to resolve equity issues and give experiences to children in need that would not otherwise have them.”

“We are delighted that HMS Glasgow has chosen to support Place2Be and some of our partner schools in Glasgow” said Sahir Permall, Director of Place2Be Scotland.

“Through community outreach, the ship’s crew will provide local schools with opportunities to engage in STEM activities, visit the ship, and much more.

“The crew will also take on fundraising challenges to support Place2Be. Each school day, hundreds of children and families across Scotland tell us about their challenges, from bereavement to bullying, from violence at home to friendship issues. The money raised by the crew of HMS Glasgow will enable us to provide vital support to these young people and their whole school communities.”