On Friday 13 December, our Sixth Form students joined 9 other schools as they headed to The Misbourne School for the Aerospace Roadshow. The event organised by The Schools’ Aerospace Careers Programme Charity exists to support all young people and educational establishments across the UK with external, independent, up-to-date careers advice in respect of engineering based industries, especially aerospace, and aviation. They work with industry partners and schools to provide their services free of charge as part of a charitable aim.
During the morning Dr Smith introduced students to some of the technologies from what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, The Internet of Things, Robotics, Drones, Virtual Reality, Quantum Computers, Nanotechnology, 3D Printing and Blockchain + Cryptocurrency and, in many cases, how several of them operate together. Furthermore, with robotics and AI he was joined by Chris Marshall who introduced and directed questions to Spot, a Boston Dynamics quadruped robot; Chris then went on to explain drone operations via his company, Airborne Platforms.
Dr Smith continued by explaining the aerospace, space and aviation industries in more depth and made particular reference to their current and future career opportunities, plus future technologies up to the year 2050. Following the introduction of a student dressed in the ACP’s replica NASA Shuttle EVA suit a short break was taken for lunch, and then the during the afternoon the audience were encouraged to be ‘hands-on’ with drone flight simulators, VR flight experiences, AR/VR design and associated 3D Printing and, of course, ask more questions of Spot.
Our students had a fabulous day accompanied by the awesome Mr Haycock! A wonderful trip which was both hugely interesting and inspirational and has brilliantly supported our Careers Education programme.
