Schools Roadshow 2018 launches to inspire STEM careers

BAE Systems, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy have launched this year’s Schools Roadshow 2018.

It aims to inspire future science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) leaders, driving further engagement with STEM and maths

The roadshow, now in its thirteenth year, aims to inspire and instil excitement among school pupils around STEM, in the largest ever schools programme of its kind.

This year’s Schools Roadshow focuses on maths, with a series of workshops and demonstrations to showcase various applications of the subject, from robotics and coding through to the use of maths in iPhone technology and magic.

Alongside the launch, BAE Systems conducted research that shows that a quarter of 14 to 18-year-olds would rather follow in the footsteps of innovator Mark Zuckerberg (23 per cent) or tech genius Bill Gates (28 per cent) for careers over household names such as Ed Sheeran (17 per cent), David Beckham (9 per cent) and Kylie Jenner (9 per cent).

The study has uncovered a surprising shift in perception of STEM among young people, revealing over half of 14 to 18-year-olds (56 per cent) deem maths to be the most valuable subject for future career prospects, followed by English (50 per cent) and science (42 per cent).

Two thirds (62 per cent) of those currently studying STEM have also said they are likely to carry these subjects over to University.

Richard Hamer, BAE Systems’ Education and Early Careers director, says: “It is great to see more young people considering a degree or career in STEM and becoming more aware of the exciting opportunities available to them through these subjects.

“At BAE Systems, our engineers work in a variety of different roles, from designing submarines for the Royal Navy, to developing innovative virtual reality technology for leading athletes to improve performance or even working on wearable tech for the British Army and the latest fighter jets for the Royal Air Force.

“Initiatives like the Schools Roadshow are so important, especially as this is the Year of Engineering, to ensure we continue to excite young minds and inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.”