Royal Navy helps STEM event go with a Big Bang
The Big Bang Fair Scotland brought together schools from all around the country as well as employers and organisations to showcase what a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths has to offer.
HM Naval Base Clyde’s Lieutenant Commander Christopher Pinder, who led the Royal Navy team during the event at Perth College UHI, said: “It’s fantastic to have this opportunity to attend the event and to speak with some of the potential engineers and scientists of tomorrow.
“STEM is what drives the Royal Navy – whether it’s the mathematics used to design our ships and submarines, the engineering expertise used to keep them running and at sea, or the advanced technology which makes our Navy one of the best in the world – it all relies on a knowledge of STEM subjects.”
He continued: “I hope that some of the young people here today consider an engineering career in the Royal Navy.
“It is an incredibly rewarding job and one which offers exciting access to some amazing equipment and technology and some of the best training you will receive anywhere.”
Twelve Royal Navy personnel from HM Naval Base Clyde, Flag Officer Sea Training North, HMS Ambush and MOD Abbeywood were on hand during the event, bringing along some fascinating interactive displays for the visitors.
An interactive model of a Gas Turbine from a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer, demonstrations on practical pneumatics, the science of firefighting at sea, and the technology associated with survival at sea were all covered.
Another member of the team who attended, and one of the stars of the event, was “Jack” the humanoid robot, who dances, sings and can follow simple commands from the visitors.
Big Bang Fair Scotland is one of several, major UK wide STEM engagement events being supported by the Royal Navy in the Year of Engineering. Looking to raise the profile of engineering across all walks of life, the Royal Navy are highlighting the way engineers are involved in our everyday activities whilst encouraging younger people to take a closer look at engineering as a career and the STEM subjects that support it.
The Big Bang Scotland Fair also featured the national final of the Bloodhound Scotland Rocket Car Challenge.
Classrooms around the country were invited to design and build their own car using a small solid fuel rocket motor, pitting them against rival teams.
Using a small BBC micro bit mini-computer the pupils measured their speeds, making improvements to the designs as they went on to make the cars go faster.
On the judging panel for the Challenge were the Royal Navy’s Captain Mike Rose, Defence Engineering Champion Team Leader, and Captain Dave Joyce, University Technical College Team Leader and RN STEM Lead.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many young people exploring the range of opportunities that STEM subjects can lead to,” said Captain Joyce. “The Royal Navy is proud to be part of the Big Bang Scotland, just one of the range of STEM projects we are running to support the future skills required by the maritime and wider engineering sector in this, the Year of Engineering.”
