02 Mar 2009 | Ref. 045/2009
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TUCKER JENKINS TURNS TEACHER
LONDON – UK, Tucker Jenkins went back to school today to help launch a nationwide initiative to inspire the next generation of British engineers and help Britain’s top athletes become even more competitive.
The BAE Systems, Royal Air Force and UK Sport initiative aims to counter an alarming decline in the number of youngsters choosing engineering as a career option and address a worsening national skills shortage which could, in the longer-term, damage the competitiveness of British industry.
Linking to the defence, security and aerospace company’s technology partnership with UK Sport, a touring youth theatre group will highlight the vital role which engineers play in sporting success, to 20,000 young students during 2009.
The interactive performance features a young girl and her father working with Olympic silver medallist Emma Pooley, via pre-recorded video clips, to develop a new racing bike and hopes to stimulate the minds of great young British engineers of the future.
“The number of students enrolling in engineering and technology course has fallen considerably in recent years and, with fewer candidates for technical positions, this could affect the future competitiveness and capability of the UK’s engineering industry” states BAE Systems’ Chairman Dick Olver.
“Our roadshow is designed to interest pupils in science and maths and get them thinking about a career in engineering at a time when they are forming opinions about career choices.”
Now a parent himself, actor Todd Carty who played Tucker Jenkins in children’s television classic ‘Grange Hill’ said: "I have two young children myself and know just how important it is to make learning fun, so they can get the most out of their education. Schemes like this are a great way to get children excited about science and technology and make sure they are aware of the importance of engineering in our everyday lives.”
The 30 minute youth theatre performance is followed by workshops in which young people explore what it means to be an engineer and how they might pursue a career in this field. Pupils work in teams to create their own Lego ‘mindstorm’ vehicle, which competes with others around a short racing course.
Throughout the nationwide tour, students will be invited to take part in a national 'Schools Challenge' competition, an opportunity for young people to help the GB cycling team by building a new racing bike that could help British athletes be even more competitive on the world stage.
“Athletes like me, who are competing on the world stage, work very closely with scientists and engineers to improve our performance and help keep the UK on top of the game,” states Emma Pooley. “This is a fantastic way of inspiring young people to be our engineers of the future.”
The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK and challenges youngsters to discover more about engineering and science. The winning team will be invited to spend a day at the wind tunnel testing facility where some of the word’s top cyclists and their bikes are put through their paces.
BAE Systems’ education programme is a Business in the Community ‘Big Tick’ Award winner. Further details of its innovative approach to develop a clearer understanding of engineering and its application in the world around us can be found on a dedicated website which details a range of free on-line resources for pupils and teachers (www.baesystems.com/education).
BAE Systems and UK Sport announced the formation of a major technology partnership to support British athletes in preparing for sporting success at the Summer and Winter Olympics, Paralympics, World and European Championships, in January 2008. The partnership gives the British sporting world access to leading-edge technologies worth £1.5 million as well as considerable engineering knowledge and expertise. The two organisations will work together until 2012.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Mike Dennehy, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 1252 384782 Mobile: +44 7793427132
michael.dennehy@baesystems.com
Kristina Crowe, Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 257 9821
Mob: +44 (0) 7841279859
kristina.crowe@bisslancaster.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
