STEM Outreach: Inspiring Future Engineers

We welcomed back students from Ashton Park School to our headquarters this year for the fourth consecutive instalment of our annual engineering outreach programme and it continues to grow in both reach and ambition.

The programme is aimed at Year 10 students with an interest in maths and science, with the goal of opening up engineering as a credible and accessible career path. A core part of the experience is giving students a realistic view of the engineering process, from initial concept through to testing and verification.

In the weeks before visiting our Technology Centre, students were set a challenge: take a consumer product and develop a more sustainable version of it. Working in groups over two weeks, they refined their ideas and prepared to present them to a panel of Crux engineers. On the day itself, they also completed a hands-on design challenge using our rapid prototyping and test equipment, giving them direct experience with the tools and methods used in practice.

Alongside the workshop activities, students heard from members of the Crux team about their own experiences and career journeys, providing valuable insight into the range of pathways into engineering and STEM careers.

What began in 2023 as a targeted initiative to broaden access to STEM careers has become an established part of our calendar. Each year provides an opportunity to share what engineering looks like in practice, while helping students build the confidence to see themselves as part of the industry’s future.

As the programme enters its fourth year, interest continues to grow, with increasing demand from students to take part.

Supporting the next generation of engineers is something we care deeply about and we look forward to continuing to develop this initiative in the years ahead.