On Tuesday 14th September, 75 students from London schools took part in a unique opportunity to experience the first STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow of 2021, supported by the Department for Transport, Trinity House, Lloyds Register Foundation, UK P&I Club and The Great Britain SailGP Team.
It is widely accepted that there is a forecast shortage of skilled STEM workers in the UK. In addition to this, women are significantly under-represented in technical and engineering careers, and within schools the gender divide is clearly reflected through pupil’s subject choices. The WISE campaign has reported that women make up just 24% of the STEM workforce, furthermore, the Maritime Skills Alliance state that women make up just 16% of serving seafarers in the UK.
In the coming weeks, the 1851 Trust team will travel across the UK to introduce inspiring role models and deliver exciting STEM education practical sessions to local schoolgirls. Each Roadshow will give young people the opportunity to connect with apprentices, graduates and women in leading roles within the maritime sector. They’ll have the opportunity to explore STEM subjects against a backdrop of an exciting sporting and maritime context, and will leave feeling empowered to make informed choices about their future education and career paths, while increasing participation, contribution and confidence in STEM subjects back in the classroom.
Ben Cartledge, CEO of the 1851 Trust, said: “We are pleased to have secured funding for our 2021 Roadshows, enabling us to continue giving hundreds of young people the opportunity to discover STEM careers at our fantastic, in-person, events across the UK.”
“Young peoples’ futures should not be defined by Covid-19. The Roadshows will re-engage young people, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, with interactive experiences and opportunities to interact with role models from across the STEM and Maritime sector. This out of classroom experience will give young people the opportunity to spend time with peers and get excited by learning again, while making a career in STEM or Maritime more accessible, and achievable.”
As part of the Roadshow, the Ambassadors share their experiences of working in STEM, and answer any questions the girls may have about future careers.
Amalie Couch, PhD student at Kings College London, said: “Being a STEM ambassador at the Roadshow was extremely rewarding. As a woman in science myself, I was delighted to speak to the young girls about STEM subjects and get a sense for how excited they were for their future careers which ranged from architects to astronauts. I can’t wait to see which paths they take; the sky is the limit!”
The next stop on the STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow is the South Coast: Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. These events will then continue throughout October and November in: Birmingham, Hartlepool, Grangemouth and Liverpool.
The STEM Crew Maritime Roadshow is just one of many programmes from the 1851 Trust. Find out more about the National Curriculum – aligned STEM experiences and teaching resources at www.1851trust.org.uk and www.STEMCrew.org or contact Megan Cliff, megan.cliff@1851trust.org.uk.
