Thornton STEM Event

24 companies hosted stands at our annual STEM Event, spanning sectors including Civil Engineering, Design, Pharmaceuticals, Business, Finance, Health, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Data Information… the list is endless.

The key attribute that links all these fabulous STEM careers is the need to be creative thinkers. Tutti Toot Trumpet for example, is a fantastic medical technology company that has prototyped a musical airway clearance device for people with chronic respiratory diseases. This is being trialled by Imperial College London, supported by the NHS and a perfect example of how creativity, science and business can come together to produce exciting innovation.

All senior students from Thornton College attended the event and had undertaken research and preparation relating to the companies in advance. We were delighted to be joined by pupils from eight local state schools, enabling as many as possible to benefit from the expertise and advise of the delegates.

Whether it was finding out about the role of an Aerodynamicist in F1 from Aston Martin, learning about spatial design from Architect Michela Falcone, talking to Network Rail Apprentices, understanding how a construction site functions with Morgan Sindall and Jackson, asking questions about different pathways in the Army, quizzing clinicians from MK Hospital or interacting with Robots with ABB Robotics, everyone had an amazing afternoon!

A massive thank you to all the brilliant delegates who attended.

Aims

The aim of the event is to offer Thornton students alongside students from local independent and state schools to learn more about the career opportunities in STEM subjects.

The careers world is changing very quickly in terms of jobs available in the field of STEM careers. In addition a low percentage of females apply for STEM related careers.

Science subject A Level and Vocational Qualification subjects are the most popular choices at Sixth Form at Thornton and therefore this naturally links with University course choices and careers.

The factors of success are the range of companies attending and the number of attendees as well as feedback forms from students.

Immediate beneficiaries are all the students who attend and have the opportunity to meet with local companies operating in the STEM sector.

Background

The Thornton STEM event has been an annual event however in 2023 it was the largest with over 30 companies attending and providing careers advice and partnerships with Thornton.

Our Careers Lead offer one to one pathway support for our students from Year 10 and she identified the need to ensure our students are aware of STEM career opportunities.

Our careers lead has built the relationships with companies over a number of years and has a healthy database of corporate partners.

The STEM event has existed since 2019.

Resources

Our Careers Lead time and efforts are critical to the success of this partnership.

The School Sports Hall is used as the venue.

Teaching staff accompany students to the STEM event and our Careers Lead is at the event full time.

Our Careers Lead dedicates time to organise the event in the previous months, alongside other careers events and then on the day will organise set up and take down. Our catering team provide refreshments throughout the day including lunch for exhibitors.

There is no fee for any participating schools or students or exhibiting companies.

Impact

Thornton students prepare for the event by identifying the companies they would like to visit and the questions they would like to ask. They compete this paperwork during the event and then complete a post event assessment to identify if the event was worthwhile and anything they have learnt.

The assessment is carried out after each event.