PUPILS had hands-on experience of careers in the emergency services, with the help of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

The event was part of #HantsSTEMFest held at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium.

A hundred students from nine schools, coordinated by St Anne’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College in Southampton and Portsmouth’s Saint Edmond’s Catholic School took part in two extensive workshops with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

The children administered critical care with the paramedic team and planning emergency missions with the pilots, to showcase future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers within the air-emergency services.

Each school attending has been working with the Royal Academy of Engineering: Connecting STEM Teachers programme to complete a series of STEM challenges and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers.

Emily Thorpe-Smith, director of STEM engagement at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium said: “By collaborating with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, the event perfectly engaged young people with a valuable STEM career within the local community. Every student got real-life experience of careers in the emergency services and the important role STEM skills place within this sector.

“It was a wonderful afternoon and it was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these young people and the inspirational STEM Ambassador role models from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.”

Winchester Science Centre coordinates the Central South England STEM Ambassador Hub to help inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

There are a number of STEM Ambassadors working at Winchester Science Centre and across the UK. They volunteer their time and enthusiasm to help inspire young people by bringing STEM to life and showcasing the opportunities that arise from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. STEM Ambassadors cross all ages and backgrounds and represent a diverse range of employment such as engineers, zoologists, set designers, climate change scientists, farmers, geologists, nuclear physicists, and architects.

They are also a free resource for teachers and others engaging young people in and outside of the classroom.