Professionals, parents and volunteers have inspired children in a special STEM – science, technology, maths and engineering – day at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

Each year group met with visitors engaged in different careers who shared their particular expertise, how they developed relevant skills and why they are passionate about it.

Children were encouraged to ask questions and interact, and there were a host of virtual visitors involved via live on-screen links.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Hearing about career development and the sheer joy of working in their chosen profession from an array of experts really fired the imaginations of our pupils.

“Face to face involvement is so important and gave real insights into possible careers in this important sector.

“Promoting STEM related subjects is something were are passionate about at Upton and this focus day enabled our children to get a real broad look at a variety of opportunities through so many people sharing their stories.”

Careers represented included space-related careers, power engineer, product manager, aircrew advisor, ecologist, systems engineer, aeronautical engineer, digital product management, and medical statistician.

Visiting guest Helayna Jenkins, a geotechnical engineer, said: “It was great to receive so many fantastic questions from the children and to hear them so engaged in my presentation.”

David Barnett, an aerospace chartered engineer, said: “Thank you again for inviting me - I've been left so inspired by the children.”

Project manager apprentice Megan Read added: “I hope the pupils learnt something new,” while aeronautical engineer Dinusha Edirisinghe said: “It was lovely that the children were so attentive.” Many of the specialists online were from www.STEM.org.uk that states: “We believe passionately in the power of bringing real-world STEM enthusiasts and role models to the classroom.

“Since 2002, we’ve worked to engage millions of young people, seeing first-hand the difference that experience, advice, and engagement from real-life professionals and enthusiasts can make to their lives, futures, and ambitions.”

The STEM day was co-ordinated by Year 4 teacher Chloe Hewitt who is Upton’s Design and Technology lead.

She said: “Our children were inspired from the talks with many of them telling me that they want to be an engineer when they grow up. They were able to ask so many topical questions to the experts too, to grow their minds and excitement even more.”

Those parents who shared their career and life experiences were:

David Barnett - Aerospace chartered engineer;Michael Bartley – power engineer; Aniko Ban – product manager; David Sockett – engineer; Andrew Steel – aircrew advisor; Jeremiah To – engineer; Helayna Jenkins – geotechnical engineer; Trevor Gill – engineer; Clare Pugh – ecologist; Debbie Soames – systems engineer; Dinusha Edirisinghe - aeronautical engineer; Megan Read – project manager apprentice; Jack Dove – space careers; Rosie Brown – medical statistician; Sarah Chapman – STEM stereotypes; and Joe Corbani – digital product management.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

*For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393.