Inspiring the next generation
CEME has an eye on the future, and we regularly work with school students across Havering, Newham and Barking & Dagenham. Our Gateway to Skills STEM programme offers schools a free, packed, activity-filled day for schools, providing a fun way to learn about science, technology, engineering and manufacturing.
The aim of this initiative is to complement the national curriculum by bringing STEM learning to school students in a fun, interactive and engaging way, encouraging our young people to follow pathways into STEM careers.
We work with professional STEM tutors to bring an exciting and hands-on experience to students, which includes a range of fun activities including the designing, building, and testing of crash proof and robotic vehicles, wind turbines, bridges, and a Mars landing rover. STEM days are held at our East London innovation campus during term time, providing a new and fun environment for learning outside of the school setting.
Sponsored by SEGRO, our programme is offered completely free to local primary and secondary schools and is supported and delivered through the Smallpeice Trust, JuniorSTEM and Hands on Science.
Over the next few years, CEME will welcome thousands of students from Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Newham schools, giving them a taste of science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM) skills.
“CEME has set a new strategy and vision for the future, to be seen and recognised as a significant contributor and champion of skills development contributing to inclusive business growth.”
Dr Noorzaman Rashid, CEME Chief Executive Officer
We’ve already seen more than 500 students enjoying our taster days in 2022, and more than half of them tell us they’re now considering a STEM career. That’s great news for our business community, which is heavily focused in the technology and engineering sectors.
“The children and staff had a fantastic day. We felt so welcomed and you were so accommodating. It was one of the best educational visits we have attended this year.
Mitel Patel, Computing Lead, Star Primary School, Newham
“I thought the sessions were invaluable in engaging our year seven students with science and technology, especially the girls. It opened their eyes to this area of study and the activities were not things that we could easily or affordably replicate in school.”
John Sullivan, Science Teacher, Greatfields School
“At The Smallpeice Trust, we believe anything is possible when you know how, and we’re here to give young people everything they need to fuel their passion for engineering. We couldn’t do that without the support of the charities, parents, teachers, universities and corporate partners we work with every day.”
A typical taster day
After an introduction to STEM, students will hear from an industry business leader to learn about the practical applications of STEM disciplines and the types of career that might involve.
A short afternoon session with our tutor closes the day, and the students return to their school interested, inspired and ready to learn.
All students benefit from:
- Inspiration – more than half are inspired to become the designers and engineers of the future.
- Hands on experience from an industry expert in engineering, manufacturing, logistics or tech.
- Improved grades and learning outcomes.
- Creative design-led instruction techniques that exemplify best practice in design and technology.
- Improved productivity and pace.
CEME’s Gateway to Skills programme improves economic wellbeing by demonstrating clear progression routes into apprenticeships, employment or further education. What’s more, we help schools take great steps in delivering key Gatsby benchmarks.
We are expanding this year, introducing a new programme of learning for teachers and training providers. It will add a focus on green to their continuous professional development.
Schools that would like to benefit from this free programme, or employers who would like to know more about getting involved, can contact lucy.groen@ceme.co.uk to find out more. If you work in the STEM sector and you’d like to participate as a volunteer, we’d love to hear from you too.
