Merging the Classroom and the Workplace: A STEM Day Inspired by Real-World Collaboration
Earlier this year, one of our Academy9 corridor schools reached out to us with a challenge: how could we bring fresh energy and perspective to their annual S2 STEM learning event? The answer came in the form of a dynamic, hands-on STEM Day and serves as an inspiring example of what’s possible when education and industry come together with purpose.
In response to the school’s request, a diverse team of professionals including engineers, ecologists, archaeologists, geologists, and transport planners joined forces with science, technical, and mathematics teachers to co-design and deliver a day of learning centered around sustainable road design. This wasn’t just a classroom exercise, it was a real-world challenge that asked pupils to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively.
Throughout the morning, pupils explored key themes such as:
- Active travel and how to design infrastructure that supports walking, cycling, and public transport.
- Sustainable energy solutions for powering our roads and vehicles.
- Environmental stewardship, learning how to protect natural habitats while planning infrastructure.
- Cultural heritage, discovering how archaeology and storytelling help preserve history in the face of development.
Going into the afternoon, the pupils formed teams and set about the challenge of designing a sustainable stretch of road which was to connect a rural town with a larger city. The teams constructed paper-based models of their road designs, as well as creating models of their designs in Minecraft Education, before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges and their peers. A fairly general brief gave them increased scope for creativity and they certainly delivered. With no two designs the same across 9 teams, they made the judging panel’s job extremely difficult.
The event was made possible through the collaboration of WSP and AtkinsRéalis (on behalf of Transport Scotland), Cairngorm National Park Authority, and Grantown Grammar School. Each partner brought unique expertise and enthusiasm, creating a rich learning experience that connected curriculum to careers and theory to practice.
This STEM Day was more than a one-off event. It was a true collaboration that showcased the strength of partnerships between education and industry. It demonstrated how shared goals and mutual respect can lead to meaningful learning experiences that inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.
We’re already looking forward to hosting the event again next year, building on this momentum and continuing to strengthen the connection between schools and the world beyond.
