Sellafield staff broaden horizons as they attend school science day
A team from our Engineering Centre of Excellence attended a local science day recently to inspire the next generation.
Claire O'Connor from Sellafield Ltd with some of the pupils from Eaglesfield Paddle School
Robots moving ‘waste’, solar powered windmills and creating circuits were just some of the experiments that pupils from Eaglesfield Paddle Primary School, West Cumbria tried during a day dedicated to science.
Sellafield Ltd sent a team of 4 from our Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cleator Moor, West Cumbria. The team took with them robots, rovers, circuits and solar powered windmills.
Claire O’Connor, socio–economic lead at our Engineering Centre of Excellence, said:
“I think we get as much out of attending days like this as the children. As a company we are committed to ensuring that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is accessible for all.
“We know that children often wonder about what goes on behind the gates at Sellafield and in the Engineering Centre of Excellence and this is our chance to show them.
“By bringing what we do to life we are inspiring the next generation. We’ve brought with us robots, rovers and we are encouraging them to use their coding, electronic and fine motor skills to build machines that work.
“It never ceases to amaze us what questions the pupils can think to ask. It’s rewarding for us too.”
Sellafield Ltd were just one of the companies invited. Atkins Global, Iggesund, Millcroft Vets, RWE Renewables and West Cumbrian Rivers Trust were also invited to take part in the school’s science day.
Amy Emmott, science lead at the school, said:
“Days like today really broaden the pupils’ horizons, they can see the future careers that are open to them. They can see how what they learn in school can lead to a career in STEM.
“We are lucky that we have such a wide range of companies here too. It really shows the children that there are many different avenues a career in STEM can take you. There will be many jobs that the children haven’t even thought of before.
“Our hope is to inspire the children today to consider a future in STEM. Yes, they’re relatively young but what you learn at school can really make a difference to your future path and it’s really important to see how science is linked.
“It’s great to see them getting involved, being really engaged and asking lots of questions.”