“STEM is the future and it seems it’s in good hands”.

 

That’s the view of Malcolm Eyre – one of the two lead STEM Ambassadors for the MNA STEM Challenge 2018.

 

He said he had been very impressed by the effort, enthusiasm and talent displayed by the teams while they have designed and manufactured their products.

 

“The whole event has gone wonderfully well and the range of work from these young people was exciting and very diverse.

 

“The level of commitment and enthusiasm shown by these young people today has been very high – it’s been wonderful.

 

“I would like to thank the sponsors, the mentors and the staff at each of the schools for the support they have given.

 

“Everybody has done very well and should be very proud of what they have achieved.

 

“We’ve seen products that can be produced afterwards and that STEM talent coming through.

 

“STEM is the future and it seems it’s in good hands when you’ve got people like this.

 

“They’ve got a tremendous set of skills that will help them for high education or employment”, said Malcolm, who runs Staffordshire-based Entrust STEM and has more than 35 years’ experience of STEM education as well as design and technology.

 

Ahead of the challenge, Mr Eyre had emphasised the importance of these valuable subjects for pupils’ future careers.

 

“STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – are important because they open the doors for young people to opportunities, apprenticeships, and a vast range of occupations and careers.

 

“Qualifications in STEM subjects are valuable for young people giving them the capital to pursue careers and fill the skills shortages faced by employers,” he told the Express & Star.

 

Mr Eyre currently has responsibility for the management body of 1,300 STEM Ambassador volunteers and is also involved with more than 170 STEM businesses across the region.

 

Ambassadors  come from a broad spectrum of careers ranging from industrial chemists to electrical engineers, marine biologists to mathematicians, aeronautical engineering apprentices to medical physicists, and lab technicians to graduates.

 

They assist with classroom activities and STEM Clubs, provide an insight into career opportunities and facilitate workplace visits where appropriate.

 

They help students to develop vital skills, understanding of the subjects and their knowledge of potential careers in STEM. The second lead STEM Ambassador for the MNA STEM Challenge 2018 was Liz Smith. Both worked with mentors throughout the challenge providing advice and support where needed as they monitored the progress of the pupils’ projects

 

She has more than 20 years’ experience as a design and technology teacher in Derbyshire schools and assistant headteacher with responsibility for careers education and guidance.

 

Speaking about the challenge, Liz said: “It’s all about inspiring these young people about STEM and about the career opportunities that can arise from having these qualifications.

 

“It’s not just about science or technology,or engineering or maths individually, it’s also about showing them how all four of these can work together.”

 

The lead STEM Ambassadors said the judges had been looking for the teams’ ability to address the brief, identify the target audience and research their needs as well as good design skills, good communication skills and the personal development of students involved.

 

They also wanted to see the development of a realistic product to meet the individual or groups need they identified.