Inspiring the next generation of innovators at Babcock’s Festival of Engineering in Fife

A journey through space was just one of a number of fantastic opportunities available at Babcock's Rosyth facility this week as the defence company rocketed 300 school pupils’ ambitions at the company’s annual Festival of Engineering. Pupils from eight local primary schools took part in the two-day event organised by Babcock’s first-year graduates, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of talent into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers. The Festival of Engineering is now a national series of events that Babcock is running to raise awareness of STEM careers.

Following a successful launch in Bristol in March, Rosyth is the second in this year’s calendar, with another to follow in Devonport in June. Around 1,500 pupils are expected to benefit from the events, which have the overarching theme of breaking down barriers to STEM. From building their own periscope and designing and creating windmills, to experiencing Virtual Reality and learning about robotics in engineering, inspiration wasn’t in short supply for the pupils at Rosyth as they eagerly made their way through five STEM activity zones. And, for the first time in its six-year history at Rosyth, the festival treated schoolchildren to a journey through space in the form of a purpose-built planetarium dome – courtesy of aerospace discovery centre, Aero Space Kinross.

Sir Nick Hine, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Marine Sector, said: “Within the military and defence industry, engineers, scientists and researchers have a critical role in our national security. It is really important that we inspire and encourage our next generation, from primary school upwards, to consider the opportunities of a STEM-based career. “It was great to showcase the wonders of STEM and the endless opportunities that a career in engineering can offer to so many enthusiastic pupils at our Rosyth facility. From shipbuilding to learning about sustainability, we hope our interactive Festival of Engineering provided the children with food-for-thought for their future dreams and aspirations.” The event, which involved primary 6 and 7 pupils from schools across Fife and Dollar, was supported by a range of organisations including the Royal Navy, Forth Valley College, Thales and the National Robotarium, alongside a number of other industry partners and colleagues.

Vicky McCauley, a Primary 6/7 teacher at Carnock Primary School in Dunfermline, said: “Babcock’s Festival of Engineering is an invaluable opportunity for pupils to get hands-on, practical experience of STEM in the real world. “The kids really enjoyed the experience and are already asking if they can come back next year.” 

Paul Sheerin, CEO of Scottish Engineering, added: “Babcock’s Festival of Engineering continues to show its long-standing commitment to STEM awareness in the community that it is a part of, and once again the event underlined that primary school learners can have immense fun while experiencing the power of engineering through hands-on STEM activities. “It takes a lot of effort to organise an event of this size, scale and ambition, so handing the responsibility for that to first-year graduates is a great way of maximising the learning out of the festival.” The festival supports the company’s focus on enhancing the UK’s future engineering capacity, from grassroots levels up, through innovation and collaboration with academic partners, industry partners and customers