More than 200 pupils from primary schools in and around Maryport came together to learn first-hand about science, engineering and constructive problem-solving at a STEM Discovery Day on March 19th at Energus.
The Year 5 (9-10-year-old) pupils worked with representatives from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, KAEFER, Cavendish Nuclear, Doosan Babcock, Energus and the University of Cumbria.

A variety of activities took place and focused on learning through fun and activities. The children got to take part in code breaking sessions, became planners for the day as they worked in teams to design and make a sofa made from balloons. They got the chance to turn CSI in a forensic workshop organised by the University of Cumbria and hear about the most dangerous jobs in the world as well as the jobs that one day won’t exist. Pupils also got to design their very own scientist and had a tour of the Energus Cyber Lab to discover the challenges of cyber security.

A key element of the project was ensuring the pupils understand how the workshops and experiments link back to the World of work. Pupils had a series of questions they were able to ask the employers about. Schools plan to use this information as a basis for further work back in the classroom.

Primary schools taking part include Ewanrigg, Broughton Moor, Our Lady St Patricks, Maryport Church of England, Richmond Hill, Dearham, Flimby, and Northside.

The Maryport Extended Schools Partnership STEM Discovery Day was coordinated through the Primary Business Partnership.

Maryport Extended Schools Partnership coordinator Nicola Woolley explains:

“There has been outstanding support for this project from schools and local businesses, and that has made it possible to organise this day. Events like these work within the Science Technology Engineering Maths framework to excite the children about the practical ways those skills can be applied to problem solving in our modern World. They were able to learn with guidance from representatives of the companies taking part – professionals who use these skills every day”