STEMFest challenges young minds to design innovative stadiums, fostering future careers in engineering and construction.
- Ninety students aged 12 and 13 participated, showcasing their creative stadium designs to industry leaders at London’s West Ham United Stadium.
- The initiative, led by Ramboll’s Emmanuel Afolabi, aims to inspire youth towards STEM subjects by connecting them with industry professionals.
- Students presented designs featuring sustainable innovations like cross-laminated timber and solar panels.
- Judges praised the students’ skills and noted the importance of diversifying the future workforce in construction.
STEMFest, an ambitious initiative to engage young minds in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, culminated in an inspiring event held at London’s iconic West Ham United Stadium. Here, ninety students, aged 12 and 13, were given the unique opportunity to pitch their creative designs for football stadiums to seasoned professionals from notable firms such as HS2 Ltd, Multiplex, Ramboll, and Mott MacDonald.
The event is the brainchild of Emmanuel Afolabi, a civil engineer with Ramboll, who developed the Fest Hub programme specifically to integrate football’s universal appeal with educational outreach. Over a part-time seven-week learning trajectory, students delved into the nuances of engineering and construction, ultimately enabling them to formulate and present their stadium concepts to a panel of judges.
Ranging from the use of cross-laminated timber to innovative solar panel installations, students’ designs showcased remarkable ingenuity and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. The event also featured an engaging competition where students demonstrated their practical skills by constructing strong bridges using limited materials.
Philippa Spence, managing director of Ramboll UK, was among the judges and expressed her admiration for the students’ presentations, describing the transformation of their understanding as ‘wonderful’ and ‘magic.’ She highlighted the industry’s ongoing challenges in attracting a sufficiently diverse workforce and emphasised initiatives like STEMFest as crucial in altering perceptions and encouraging broader participation.
In alignment with the goals of the high-speed rail megaproject, HS2, Ambrose Quashie lauded the programme’s success in demonstrating essential skills for the future infrastructure sector. The collaborations between schools and football clubs, including West Ham, Queens Park Rangers, and Charlton Athletic, further enriched the students’ experiences by tying community engagement with learning.
Amy Dawson, social value and community manager for Multiplex, underscored the programme’s efficacy in revealing the plethora of opportunities within the construction industry. By equipping students with critical tools and knowledge, STEMFest is paving the way for the next generation of industry professionals.
STEMFest exemplifies how innovative educational programmes can effectively guide young people towards fulfilling careers in STEM fields.
