NEARLY 100 students from local schools learned about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

The Year 9 students were able to get hands-on with activities that demonstrated how STEM subjects support the military and protect the UK from terrorism.

The activities which showcased some of the exciting careers available at Dstl were designed to be fun and interactive by Dstl’s STEM Ambassadors – individuals who volunteer to work with young people and to act as role models within STEM careers.

Activities included testing ‘armour’ made from paper and plastic using chocolates and shuttlecocks and an engineering challenge to build a tower using unusual materials such as spaghetti and marshmallows.

The students were also able to have a look at a Jackal armoured vehicle to find out more about the STEM involved in designing it, and learnt about how thermal imaging technology can be used to detect heat signatures by thermally camouflaging a plastic cup containing warm water.

The day was devised by Dstl’s STEM Outreach Manager Jaime Williamson and Early Careers Manager Kat Ward.

Salisbury Journal:

Avon Valley pupils taking the engineering challenge