04 Jul 2006 | Ref. 168/2006
BAE Systems employees in Portsmouth supported Springfield School’s Technology Activity Day on Monday 3 July 2006 to help encourage children to develop skills which support the use of technology in engineering solutions.
The whole school worked off timetable and Years 7 and 8 undertook a variety of activities using technology kits like K’Nex and Kre8. Some activities undertaken last year were also repeated (Air Boat and Build a Bridge), but this year the 20-strong BAE Systems team was looking for greater creativity and innovation in approach – with help provided by its staff. Additionally there were other tasks such as Art/design, Music technology, Web building, Ready Steady Cook, Textiles, Graphics, Media and Digital Photography set up for pupils. BAE Systems also provided additional help with the web, graphics and media work with the support of employees with specific interests and skills in these areas.
Three sessions of activities were held throughout the day, with school and BAE Systems staff jointly providing supervision and guidance in all the tasks and activities. The day concluded with presentations by BAE Systems for the winning teams.
BAE Systems sponsored Springfield School to become a Technology College in 2002. Subsequently, the company has continued to support the school with presence at various technology activity days, chairmanship of the Technology College Board, and lately provision of accredited mentors to support year 10 and 11 students. The business has also introduced many simple management tools into the school (Plan on a Page, Traffic Light Reporting) with amazing effect.
John Morley, BAE Systems Head of Bid Governance/Training & Consultancy said: “The 2006 Technology Activity Day at Springfield was a great success. And although our key aim is to try and help encourage the pupils’ interest in technology and engineering, BAE Systems really values its continued involvement with Springfield School. Our employees gain immensely in people management skills, which are just as important to the success of our company as the business processes and tools we use. Whilst we assist at Springfield, we also are taken to a challenging environment, asked to do a new task, manage new people, adapt to a new scenario and assess results all in a restricted time – a pretty good training ground!”
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded GB £15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information, please contact:
Sue Kennard, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 603265 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 712739
sue.kennard@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
