Four Year 10 pupils from Cove School in Farnborough visited AWE’s gigantic Orion laser after winning the AWE Challenge at this year’s TeenTech.
Maths teacher Lisa Trapnell, who is also a director of progress at the school, said: “We met Colin, Head of Profession for Physics and Mathematics for AWE. He showed us around and talked through what they do at the facility. It was an amazing experience. The students learned a new side to physics, which they have not yet learnt about in school, along with realising that many different skills and team work, from engineers, construction, chemists, mathematicians, is required to build something like Orion. It was a great visit, which has hopefully inspired a few more students to look at different types of careers in the future, especially in science and engineering.” Student Sam added:
“I thought the whole experience was eye-opening, because it showed new jobs that we never knew existed”
while Melissa said: “‘I thought the AWE experience was very interesting and very advanced.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Phillip had his eye on future opportunities: “I now have a better understanding of the availability of jobs within physics and engineering and the opportunities out there” whilst James was: “fascinated by how the laser works and that there are lots of other things that go into it, not just physics.”
Three hundred students from nearly 30 schools across Hampshire and West Berkshire took part in the annual TeenTech event in June, coordinated by The Basingstoke Consortium. Founded by Maggie Philbin, former presenter of the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World programme, TeenTech is an award-winning industry-led initiative that runs lively one-day events, with a year-round supporting awards scheme. TeenTech helps young teenagers see the wide range of career possibilities in STEM.
The Cove School team won the AWE Challenge, in which students had to solve a series of puzzles using science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, teamwork and creative thinking.