On Thursday 15th May, Year 8 students enjoyed a unique and inspiring opportunity to engage with real-world professionals during our 'Cuppa with STEM' panel event. This was an exciting initiative designed to spark curiosity and showcase the breadth of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM).
The session welcomed a panel of STEM Ambassadors from leading organisations including BAE Systems, SEECOM Internet Solutions, and Flotation Energy, who each brought valuable insight into the many different pathways and possibilities within the STEM industry. From defence and cybersecurity to offshore wind energy, surveying and digital infrastructure, it highlighted just how diverse and dynamic the STEM sector really is.
The interactive workshop gave students the chance to roll up their sleeves and take part in engaging STEM challenges that reflected real-life skills used in industry. The challenge encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, all essential traits for future scientists, engineers, and tech innovators.
Throughout the event, students also had the opportunity to speak directly with the STEM Ambassadors, discovering what their roles involve, the routes they took into their careers, and what a typical day looks like in their field. From software engineering and network security to renewable energy solutions, each ambassador shared personal stories that brought the world of STEM to life in an accessible and relatable way.
One Year 8 student commented, “I didn’t know there were so many different jobs in STEM! It was really interesting to hear how they got into their careers. It’s made me think differently about what I might want to do.”
Events like 'A Cuppa with STEM' are a vital part of helping young people connect classroom learning with real-world application, and in showing that the future of STEM is wide open and waiting for them.