Winners of AWE TeenTech Challenge visit Orion

As deserved winners of the AWE Challenge at TeenTech, students from St Swithun’s School in Winchester recently had a chance to see AWE’s cutting-edge technology up close, with a visit to the world-leading Orion laser facility at Aldermaston.

Last year around 300 participating students from across Hampshire took part in the annual TeenTech event, coordinated by Education Business Partnership (EBP) South. Founded by Maggie Philbin OBE, TeenTech is an industry-led initiative that helps young people see the wide range of career possibilities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Welcoming the students was Professor Andrew Randewich, AWE’s Executive Director Science, who provided some insight into the Orion facility and an understanding of how high energy density physics supports the UK’s nuclear deterrent. At temperatures of more than 10 million degrees, Orion can both replicate the conditions found at the centre of the Sun – and simulate supernovas in the laboratory.

In addition to showing the students a new side of physics and how it’s used within industry, the visit provided an opportunity to find out more about the diverse range of careers available within AWE and the nuclear industry. A number of AWE staff discussed their career paths to showcase the skills-sets and far-ranging opportunities available.

Hilary Mitchener, Head of Design & Technology at St Swithun’s School commented: “The girls had a fantastic time. It was clear that everyone there really enjoyed their jobs and wanted to share what they did with the girls. I was very impressed with the careers talk at the end highlighting the diverse range of routes that could be taken.”

The St Swithun’s students won the AWE Challenge by successfully completing the Spheros Maze which saw them deploying some impressive STEM skills, teamwork and creative thinking.