The annual event, which aims to build interest, increase knowledge and promote careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), was held at the MKM stadium and attended by secondary school students from across Hull and East Yorkshire.

Students participated in a series of interactive workshops delivered by representatives from post-16 providers including Bishop Burton College and East Riding College, and businesses including civil engineering company CR Reynolds Ltd and multinational medical equipment manufactures Smith + Nephew.

Trip leader and Head of Design Technology, Amy Norris, said: “Our students fully engaged with the activities, including slime making, building a lava lamp, programming robots and testing model wind turbines, and it was clear that they enjoyed the hands-on approach to learning. This is something they can continue to experience as part of their DT lessons at school.

“They also took the opportunity to ask lots of questions, finding out about a variety of STEM-based careers in the NHS, forensic science, civil engineering and video game creation. They really took on board the information that was being shared regarding STEM career opportunities and post-16 courses in our local area”

As for the students themselves, Jack Johnson said: “I found the STEM event really interesting and learnt lots of new things. My favourite activity was the imagination gaming session as I beat Mrs Norris and my friend!”

Seren added: “I really enjoyed building a tower in the first activity session and I was glad that I was on the winning team. I was also pleased to have the opportunity to find out more about becoming a midwife, including career pathways and alternatives to going to university.”

Oliver said: “I found the talk about construction interesting because they explained how it links to science. I am interested in going into this field of work and I love science, so it's perfect for me.”

For Withernsea High School’s Careers Leader, Viki Foster, the timing of the Humber STEM event arrived at a beneficial time for Year 9.

Viki explained: “In the coming months, our Year 9 students will begin choosing their subject options for GCSE study. Learning about potential careers at this stage not only opens their eyes to new opportunities, it also helps them to make informed choices about their futures - the subjects they want to study, and the direction they would like to take after leaving high school.

“The Humber STEM event provided a valuable opportunity for us to help engage, inspire and educate our students. We were also pleased to reconnect with representatives from many local companies who continue to support the school’s careers programme through our own schedule of events.”

With technology growing at a rapid pace, including the increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and as engineering moves to tackle global climate and population change, STEM-related industries continue to grow and adapt to address local, national and global needs.

There is currently a strong demand across Hull and East Yorkshire for people with STEM qualifications, which are useful in both the manufacturing and engineering sectors. 

At present, manufacturing contributes 17% of employment in the Humber area, compared with 8.7% for England as a whole, with these numbers set to grow even further thanks to continuing investment in renewable energy and STEM-related projects to address climate change.

Humber STEM event organiser, Liam Johnson, said: “Humber STEM equips young people to meet challenges, build skills, learn about local industry and have fun whilst doing so. It has never been so important to enlighten pupils about how STEM is integrated into so many businesses. There is a real need to attract young people to sectors facing STEM/digital skills gaps and it is local businesses who can raise this engagement, acting as a catalyst in developing young people’s interests as they move through their education.”