Babcock sparks imaginations at Festival of Engineering
Babcock welcomed more than 300 local primary children to its Rosyth facility over two days to get involved in exciting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities as part of its annual Festival of Engineering.
Image courtesy Babcock
The Primary six and seven pupils from five different schools explored the hi-tech world of engineering, robotics and virtual reality when they made their way around five zones of engineering innovations organised by Babcock, with their Royal Navy customer, further education and industry representatives including Fife College, Thales, Scottish Power and The National Robotarium.
From chocolate welding to sustainable boatbuilding using recycled materials, there was something on offer to stimulate and excite all the young imaginations.
Organised by Babcock’s graduates for the fourth year running, the innovative event aims to encourage young people into a career in engineering. The graduates regularly host virtual and in-person STEM events for both primary and secondary pupils in the local area, providing advice on apprenticeships, career paths into the workplace and site tours of Babcock’s Rosyth facility.
Beth Kennedy, a Babcock project management graduate who helped to organise the event, said: “The Festival of Engineering was busy with activity as we welcomed hundreds of local school kids to join us on a voyage of discovery. The feedback from the pupils and teachers who attended was fantastic, and we can’t wait to grow this exciting event in the years to come.”
The facility on the Forth was buzzing with anticipation from the get-go when the young guests heard about a competition to tour the UK’s newest polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough.
School pupils who attended the event were invited to draw a picture imagining the RRS Sir David Attenborough on one of its fantastic missions. The budding artists behind the three best drawings will get the chance to visit the scientific ship when it stops at Rosyth for maintenance.
Sean Donaldson, Babcock’s Managing Director at Rosyth, added: “Supporting our local community is an important aspect of our business and the Festival of Engineering is a great example of this. The level of interest from the next generation of potential scientists and engineers was truly inspiring.”
Babcock’s Rosyth facility is also home to the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus (AGIC) – a global hub for large-scale advanced manufacturing, composites, robotics, nuclear manufacturing and digital shipbuilding.