Schools STEM roadshow reaches 20 year anniversary

• The current year’s series commenced today at St Mary's College in Hull
• STEM subjects are integral to the operations of the Royal Air Force and the wider UK Armed Forces.
• Since its inception, the roadshow has reached over 5,000 schools nationwide

BAE Systems initiated a nationwide educational initiative in 2005, successfully engaging and inspiring approximately 1.3 million students to date. The Royal Air Force became a partner in 2008, followed by the Royal Navy’s support in 2015.

This program is designed to incite excitement and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, offering an interactive experience tailored for primary and secondary school students aged 10 to 13. It illustrates practical applications of scientific and technological concepts through real-world scenarios.

The current year’s series commenced today at St Mary's College in Hull and is scheduled to visit over 500 schools across the country, bringing the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to life. Approximately 130,000 students will utilize this technology to compose songs and produce accompanying music videos, facilitated by a robotic dog named Lexi.

The success of this initiative has led the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, and BAE Systems to commit to continuing the roadshows until at least 2030.

As one of the United Kingdom’s foremost advanced engineering and technology companies, BAE Systems possesses a long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent and educating youth on the importance of pursuing STEM subjects. I am proud of the role our schools’ roadshows have played in this endeavour over the past twenty years and am pleased that we have secured new funding to inspire young minds for an additional quarter of a century.

— Tania Gandamihardja, Group Human Resources Director at BAE Systems

Since its inception, the roadshow has reached over 5,000 schools nationwide, addressing topics including electricity, space, magnetism, energy, mathematics, waves, physics, and biomimicry.

We are exceedingly pleased to host this STEM roadshow at St Mary’s College and to collaborate with such an innovative and significant national enterprise. As society transitions into an increasingly technological future, it is vital for our students to be at the forefront of these advancements. Participation in events such as today’s represents an invaluable opportunity. We are confident that our students will derive substantial benefits from this experience, influencing their future trajectories positively.

— Maria Stead, Head of School at St Mary’s College in Hull

Collectively, BAE Systems, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy employ thousands of engineers worldwide and are dedicated to engaging with young people through initiatives such as the STEM roadshow to foster a highly skilled workforce for the future.

The Royal Navy depends on STEM expertise to design, construct, deploy, and maintain its world-class ships, submarines, and aircraft globally. Cultivating the engineers and scientists of tomorrow is essential, and the additional funding for this exceptional program is greatly appreciated.

— Commander Chris Pinder, Royal Navy STEM Programme

STEM subjects are integral to the operations of the Royal Air Force and the wider UK Armed Forces. Without skilled and motivated individuals, our daily operations would not be feasible. The schools’ roadshows will continue to play a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of innovators, aviators, and engineers.

— Wing Commander Russ Barnes, Royal Air Force Youth STEM Programme