Last week The Sixth Form College Farnborough hosted an inspiring week dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). STEM Week was an opportunity for students to engage with professionals from a wide range of industries and explore the exciting possibilities that a career in STEM can offer. Over the course of the week, students attended a series of fascinating talks, each designed to showcase the diverse opportunities available in these rapidly evolving fields.
We were delighted to welcome a fantastic lineup of guest speakers from leading companies and institutions, each sharing their knowledge and experiences to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Below is a summary of some of the highlights from this memorable week:
Dr. John Fleming, Country Medical Director UK for Johnson & Johnson kicked off STEM Week with an engaging talk that explored the benefits of having a varied career in medicine, embracing both clinical practice as well as pharmaceutical roles.
Dr. Connor Tyler from Syngenta followed this with a workshop that deep dived into the role of genetics in sustainable agriculture. His talk focused on how invertebrate genetics can be harnessed to combat pest-related challenges in crop protection, emphasising the importance of science in addressing global food security.
On day two we welcomed back two college alumni. Dr. Mann Virdee from the Council on Geostrategy and Aaron Fowler, a senior Physiotherapist in the NHS.
Dr. Virdee shared valuable insights into the world of science and technology policy. His presentation covered his journey since leaving the sixth form and highlighted the opportunities available in this interdisciplinary field.
Aaron’s talk “Overcoming Barriers, Exceeding Expectations, Hitting Rock Bottom and Finding Happiness Again!” not only covered his journey to become a senior physiotherapist, but also shared his personal story of sight loss and mental health battles, reminding students of the importance of talking about this often taboo subject and not being afraid to reach out.
Chris Churchman from cquester spoke to students in an eye-opening session on the importance of climate change, reminding students that the responsibility of coming up with sustainable solutions to this global problem lies with them and future generations. His interactive talk encouraged students to consider the global impact of environmental challenges and the role of nature in finding sustainable solutions.
Elizabeth Billington from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) gave a compelling presentation on how the organisation responds to outbreaks such as bird flu. She outlined the critical work in surveillance, diagnostics, and research that helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, offering students a glimpse into the world of public health and biosecurity.
Another college alumni, Ben Willcocks from FICO, returned to take students on a fascinating journey through the world of mathematical optimisation. His talk showcased how mathematical models are applied in a wide variety of industries to solve complex problems, illustrating the power of mathematics in driving real-world solutions.
Eleanor Timberlake and Chaw Chaw Yi from Pfizer shared their experiences transitioning from university to industry. They provided valuable insights into the role of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the importance of internships and placements in shaping future careers in science and business.
The week was brought to a close by Joseph Byrne from OneTrust who gave an inspiring talk on the wide range of career opportunities available for students with an engineering background. His presentation covered how engineering skills are used across various sectors, from tech to environmental solutions, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing job market.
STEM Week was a resounding success, thanks to the outstanding speakers who generously shared their time and expertise. The week provided our students with invaluable exposure to a wide array of STEM careers and gave them the tools to think critically about how they can contribute to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what the students had to say:
“I’ve genuinely never been so engaged in a lecture before” - Joseph Byrne, OneTrust
“It was clear that the speaker enjoys what he does” - Dr. John Fleming, Johnson & Johnson
“I found the talk engaging, informative and interesting. I gained what i'd hoped to from it and I am going to do some more research into related careers following the talk.” - Dr. Connor Tyler, Syngenta
“I found this talk very interesting and thought that Dr. Virdee was able to explain his work to everyone in an understandable and engaging way” - Dr. Mann Virdeen, Council on Geostrategy
“The talk was very insightful in providing details of the experiences in the healthcare sector” - Aaron Fowler, NHS Berkshire West
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the speakers for their engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions. We hope that this week has inspired many of our students to explore the exciting possibilities that STEM has to offer and to consider how they can shape the future through innovation, collaboration, and dedication.
Here's to an exciting year ahead, filled with new opportunities, discoveries, and the continued pursuit of knowledge!
