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Bid to bring through next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians

An enterprise competition has been launched to inspire teenagers in Coventry and Warwickshire to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM).

The Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hub and ThinkHigher Coventry and Warwickshire, which works with students to help them make informed and ambitious choices about their futures, is encouraging year 10 and 11 students from state schools in Coventry and Warwickshire to enter their first virtual STEM Enterprise Competition.

The competition, which will run from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, will give pupils the opportunity to learn more about enterprise, marketing and business plans, hear from people working in STEM and improve their creativity skills by working on their own project.

To apply, students have to answer why they think STEM is important in no more than 50 words by Friday, July 17, and then, if successful, they will receive a kit to design and build their STEM project.

Representatives from CityFibre, Transport Design International, GE Power and National Grid will judge the entries and prizes up for grabs for the winners and runners-up include an iPad, bluetooth speaker, Fitbit and vouchers for Domino’s Pizza.

Emma Culey, who is part-funded by Think Higher Coventry and Warwickshire and is an enterprise co-ordinator at the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hub, said the competition was focused on promoting the fantastic opportunities available in STEM careers.

“Diversity in STEM is a big problem at the moment, particularly among females, and being based in the West Midlands we have some of the best STEM opportunities available in the UK,” she said.

“We have some of the world’s global automotive industries based in Coventry and Warwickshire, the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre is being built here and we have a huge and varied manufacturing sector.

“But not enough young people know about what STEM is and the jobs involved in that area such as manufacturing, automotive or battery technology.

“Running a competition such as this will hopefully open the eyes of young people to what is going on in our area and highlight the varied career possibilities.

“The competition is focused on creating a mini STEM project which has been developed by WMG and will be sent to students when they have entered.

“We want them to come up with a new idea, to market it and build a brand to be submitted at the end of the week for the judges to assess.

“During the week, we will be giving students the chance to hear from engineers who work locally, and can pass on information on battery technology and what’s going on locally with STEM which they will be able to use in their project.

“We are looking forward to seeing the results and highlighting the many opportunities that are available in this exciting sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .