Robots transform STEM learning during RAF visit to Nether Stowe

The sky was the limit for ATLP’s Nether Stowe School pupils last week when the RAF paid an inspirational  visit – and brought a box full of high-tech robots with them.

The RAF’s Youth Engagement team visited the school, in St Chad’s Road, last Thursday (November 7) as part of pupils’ learning around the key the ‘STEM’ subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

And the Year 7 pupils found themselves in control of robots as they learned all about programming, design and problem solving.

Youngsters designed and built the robots before learning how to programme them to travel along a challenging course set out on the floor of the school’s sports hall.

Science teacher Helen Hunt said:

This was a fun, hands-on event that the students really enjoyed – by working with the robots, they had to use all kinds of skills like problem solving, critical thinking, mathematics and construction. You can see just how engaged the children are with a challenge like this – there was a real ‘buzz’ in the room as they got to grips with the robots. Hopefully, it will inspire them to look at STEM careers in a different light and make them more aware of what’s available to them.

she added:

The girls in particular seemed to get a lot out of the day, because this kind of field is usually considered to be male dominated in terms of careers, but hopefully this will show them that there’s no reason why they can’t be involved in what has been traditionally a male setting.”

The visit was one of three STEM events at the school involving the uniformed forces – last year the Army paid a visit, while the Sea Cadets are due in December.

Headteacher Glyn Langston-Jones said:

The RAF visit was a brilliant exercise in getting the children out of their comfort zone to challenge them to try something new and push themselves a bit further, both in terms of academic thinking and problem solving and also by working as a team. Their attitude was great to see – they were really happy to roll their sleeves up and get stuck into a fun event that saw them learn about engineering, technology robotics, complicated mathematics and even computer programming, but in a fun environment.”

For a further insight into the day please take a look at https://youtu.be/joHYY__AyLo