Engineering Students Take Flight with British Airways STEM Careers Challenge

Our Engineering students gained first-hand insight into careers in aviation and STEM* through an interactive workshop with British Airways, exploring engineering principles, industry pathways and the science behind flight.

Our Engineering students recently had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a STEM Careers Challenge Workshop delivered by British Airways.

The workshop provided students with valuable insight into the diverse range of careers available within the aviation industry, including pilot training programmes, aircraft engineering, maintenance, operations and a variety of STEM-related roles that help keep one of the world’s leading airlines in the air.

One of the highlights of the day was an interactive aircraft design challenge, where students worked collaboratively to apply engineering principles to solve real-world problems. Working within a set of design constraints, they explored how engineering concepts are used in practice and developed innovative solutions to aviation-related challenges.

Through this hands-on activity, students gained a deeper understanding of the science behind flight, including the forces acting on aircraft and the engineering principles that enable safe and efficient air travel. The challenge encouraged critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills while demonstrating the real-world application of classroom learning.

The session was both engaging and inspiring, giving students the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, ask questions and learn more about the qualifications, skills and pathways required to pursue careers in STEM and aviation.

Experiences like these play a vital role in helping young people connect their studies to future career opportunities. By engaging directly with employers and industry experts, students can broaden their horizons, raise their aspirations and gain a clearer understanding of the exciting possibilities available to them.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Hollie Burton, Emerging Talent Student Outreach Manager at British Airways, for arranging the workshop, and to Lisa Dorell for delivering such an informative, engaging and interactive session. Their support and enthusiasm helped inspire the next generation of engineers and aviation professionals.

We look forward to continuing to work with employers who help bring learning to life and create meaningful opportunities for our students.

*Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics