Defence giant BAE Systems has launched its annual Schools Roadshow, which tours the nation’s schools to inspire young people to consider careers in STEM subject industries.
The ninth annual BAE Systems and Royal Air Force Schools Roadshow kicked off in London this morning, and will visit over 240 schools throughout 2014 to highlight the benefits of science, technology, engineering and maths to school pupils.
Taking place at St Marylebone C of E School, students were given interactive demonstrations from three BAE Systems engineers, who discussed subjects from fighter jets to winter Olympic skeleton sledging.
BAE Systems group managing director Nigel Whitehead, who addressed students at the beginning of the launch, said promoting the subject of physics needs to correspond with the excitement of the careers it offers.
“Quite simply the UK needs more people to study physics,” he said. “We’ve got to do more to link up the most exciting careers – like being a pilot – with physics.”
Mr Whitehead added: “The subject opens up opportunities to so many careers but there is no doubt that it does get difficult.
“This is where industry and organisations like the Royal Air Force, can help teachers show the application of physics in the real-world and encourage young people to keep studying.”
Group Captain Mark Heffron of the RAF, who also spoke with students at the all-girls school, said: “Projects such as the RAF/BAE Schools Roadshow can help to inspire students to continue with key subjects such as physics and maths and in so doing ensure they retain the widest possible range of future options.”
