At the end of the summer term, nine Springfield students joined Admiral Lord Nelson school and took part in a trip to Williams Racing Team Headquarters in Oxford. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) enrichment day was organised by the Digital City Project Team for female students so that they could engage in real-world applications of STEM making these subjects more interesting and accessible. The Digital City Project Team support education settings across Portsmouth in developing their digital strategy as we work towards a shared vision for Portsmouth to become a digital city. The students had an engaging but fun day during which they competed in an engineering competition, enjoyed a tour of the largest collection of Formula 1 cars in the world and took part in some SIM racing in the William eSports Lounge.
This visit was important for the students who took part as it will inspire future careers. By visiting a prestigious and high-tech environment like the Williams Racing Team Headquarters, students saw firsthand the exciting career opportunities that STEM fields offer. They met professionals who have turned their passion for science and technology into successful careers, which can be incredibly inspiring. Experiences like these also help to break down gender stereotypes, showing girls that they too can excel in these areas.