Staff from GE Aviation Systems were among a select number of men and women working in science and engineering recognised during a ceremony at the House of Lords for their work as STEM ambassdors -- people who inspire young people about the possibilities offered by a career in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The STEM Ambassadors Programme, co-ordinated by STEMNET, is a network of 19,000 science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) people across the UK who work with local schools and colleges on a voluntary basis to run workshops, activities and experiments, give careers talk and mentor promising students.
Each year, schools and colleges across the UK are asked to nominate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) ambassadors from the industry partners they work with for regional awards. Nominations for STEM national awards are then short-listed from all the regional winners by STEMNET, a national organisation with responsibility for promoting STEM subjects in education.
This year, GE Aviation's Bishops Cleeve site was voted "Most Dedicated Company in Gloucestershire" for its work with the region's Primary & Secondary schools. GE Aviation was subsequently short-listed for the national awards ceremony held at the House of Lords on 29 April.
Although GE Aviation did not win the category, they received a Commendation for their work and Andrew Hopcraft, the Engineering Services & People Performance manager and Michael Smith, a graduate engineer and STEM Ambassador, were on hand to accept the award from Lord Sainsbury, on behalf of Lord Drayson, the Minister of State for Science and Innovation and Yvonne Baker, the Chief Executive of STEMNET.
In a keynote speech at the House of Lords event, Roger Highfield, editor of New Scientist, praised the STEM Ambassadors for "showing the human face of science". He said: "It is a no brainer that our economy is going to be ever more dependent on STEM subjects but it is a matter of some angst just how we get young people animated by science and engineering. I love the STEM Ambassador idea. It sends out a signal that science, engineering, technology and maths are useful and relevant. It shows the human face of science (not the crazy, white-haired, old bloke). It gives teachers much needed support. There's no better way to turn kids on to STEM than to connect them with people who have a genuine passion for the subject".
"Enthusiasm is infectious", he added, before calling on STEM Ambassadors to "...keep on fanning those little embers of interest into flames."
GE Aviation's Bishop Cleeve site currently have 12 STEM Ambassadors, led by Clive Arnold, who help support many educational enrichment schemes right across Gloucestershire. Schemes for every age are catered for by the group, from K'Nex "Junior Engineer for Britain" in primary, to "Year in Industry", for post-16 students. Many other Learning Grid activities are supported by the group including "Imagineering", "Go4SET", "Flying Start" and the "Engineering Education Schemes". The site also sponsors and hosts many inter-school activities and the county's annual CREST and Schools Technology awards, touching over 100 primary schools, 20 secondary schools & post-16 colleges and helping thousands of students understand the need for STEM subjects in the real world.