03 May 2007 | Ref. 131/2007
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BAE Systems ‘sons and daughters’ get to grips with engineering
Warton, UK. – It was a case of out of the classroom and into the workplace for over 200 teenagers when they participated in the annual BAE Systems ‘Take our sons and daughters to work day’ at the Warton and Samlesbury sites.
The day, designed and organised by BAE Systems’ apprentices, gave the 14-16 year-old students a taste of what the world of aerospace is all about – and how its high technology products are giving our men and women on the frontline a real advantage.
The teenagers learned about concept work on uninhabited air vehicles (commonly known as UAVs), heard what it’s like to fly a Typhoon, and were given the opportunity to see Hawk and Typhoon aircraft being manufactured.
But the highlight of the day however was their own engineering challenge. Teams were pitched against each other to build a tower using sticky tape and paper able to carry the weight of a golf ball for 5 seconds. The winners built a tower 2.3metres high.
The day is just one of a number of education initiatives supported by BAE Systems which include an ‘Ambassadors into schools’ scheme and a nationwide Education Roadshow now preparing for a tour of the North West region.
What did the competitors make of the day?
• Ruth Busby, 15, King Edward and Queen Mary School, Lytham said: "I enjoyed the Engineering Challenge. We were really put under pressure - and it did get very competitive!"
• Amy Welham, 14, Ashton High School, Preston said: "I enjoyed visiting the hangars and seeing how the aircraft are made and all the work that goes into them."
• Rebecca Holdsworth, 14, St Bede’s High School, Lytham added: "I'm amazed at how much the aircraft cost. I particularly enjoyed the introduction by Mark Bowman, the Typhoon test pilot."
• Jack Warrington, 14, Car Hill High School, Kirkham said: "The site is a lot bigger than I realised: it's like a town in itself - a bit like the Doctor Who’s Tardis!”
• Lucy Woods, also of Carr Hill High School said: "I didn't realise UAV’s are already being used for spying in Iraq and that they are capable of identifying a buoy in the middle of the sea"
For further information contact:
Debbie Stott, Senior Communications Advisor, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 852995 Fax: +44 (0) 1772 856524
deborah.stott@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
