Thousands of underrepresented schoolchildren across the UK have been given access to engaging, high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) experiences through Drax Foundation funding, in partnership with EngineeringUK, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to dedicated to enabling more young people from all backgrounds to be informed, inspired and progress into engineering and tech.
Funding for Engineering UK’s ‘Big Bang at School’ bursaries, originally awarded for the 2023/24 academic year, has now enabled 10 priority schools to host their own STEM events – bringing the magic of the Big Bang to their classrooms with an inspiring day filled with exciting activities.
The bursaries, supported by £15,000 of matched funding, gave 3,088 pupils the opportunity to engage in STEM activities, with schools in Yorkshire and the Humber, Scotland, the East of England and the East Midlands.
The scheme is directly catered to schools serving young people underrepresented in the UK’s engineering workforce, including those in rural areas, girls’ schools, and schools with above average numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals. As part of the bursaries, teachers were able to use funds to purchase materials, run interactive sessions, and cover staffing costs, significantly enhancing the STEM experience for their pupils.
Teacher feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 100% of respondents agreed the bursary motivated their school to take part, improved the quality of the experience, and enabled wider participation from underrepresented pupils.
Lesley Lyon, Teacher at Oban High School said:
“All our pupils loved the day and it has revitalised the whole school’s approach to science. We are very grateful for the funding and it has enabled us to buy equipment that we can use in the future.”
Some examples of how the funding was used include:
- At Oban High School, a rural school on Scotland’s west coast, first and second year pupils explored aeronautical engineering by designing and building their own motor-powered model planes.
- At Kirkcudbright Academy, in Galloway, Scotland, teachers designed a series of immersive workshops across different year groups, including a forensic science crime-solving challenge and a monorail design project linking STEM learning with real-world engineering roles. The school is now planning to run the event annually, using materials funded by the bursary.
Susi Farnworth, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, EngineeringUK said:
“We’re thrilled with the impact that our partnership with Drax has made, allowing us to inspire more young people underrepresented in engineering and tech. Partnering with expert organisations such as Drax supports EngineeringUK to grow our reach and impact. We’re one step closer to our goal of inspiring the next generation of skilled, innovative engineers.”
Jane Breach, UK Community and Education Manager at Drax said:
“It’s brilliant to see the positive impact this funding has had on young people across the country.”
“By supporting schools to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM experiences, we’re helping to open doors and inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly those who might not otherwise have had the opportunity.”
