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Teachers and business mentors were given plenty of food for thought during masterclasses in virtual reality and 3D drawing as part of the MNA STEM Challenge.

They visited Dudley College of Technology and were shown demonstrations by tutors as well as trying out the equipment themselves.

The event was organised for teachers and mentors who are supporting school pupils competing in this year’s challenge which has been launched by the MNA, publisher of the Express & Star, to promote the importance of the key science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.

Together they will work to design and manufacture a product that has a positive benefit for an individual/group and the environment, or just the environment.

The teams of six pupils will then need to demonstrate their product as a working model at a presentation on July 11 at Dudley College – the challenge’s main sponsor.

Teachers from the Black Country and Staffordshire schools, along with their partnered mentors, were invited to have a tour around the facilities at Dudley College.

They enjoyed a range of sessions including the chance to try out virtual reality headsets and discover more about the technology being used in the construction industry.

The teachers and partner mentors also tried their hand at virtual welding equipment, which allows students to hone their skills in a safe environment. The visitors were also given demonstrations using 3D CAD (computer aided design), robotics and automation, and electrical installation.

Among the schools taking part is St Peter’s Collegiate School, in Compton Park, which has been partnered with Made in the Midlands.

Teacher Matthew Buck said: “The STEM Challenge is very interesting. It is important to give them this kind of challenge early on as it keeps them motivated and helps them see the relevance of what we are teaching them in their key stage four studies.”

Richard Hobbs, from Made in the Midlands, said: “The event has been a really fascinating insight and the facilities here at Dudley College are incredibly impressive. You can really see how they progress students so quickly here.”

Brendan Oakley, who works at AM Griffiths & Son, in Wolverhampton, is a mentor for Pegasus Academy, in Dudley.

He said: “This visit has been really enlightening. It is amazing to see how the technology has changed since I was at school. It just shows how far the industry is changing.”