Engineers from Southampton Airport helped lessons take-off at Quilley School of Engineering in Eastleigh. Over 550 students at the school were involved in a variety of workshops, to mark National Science and Engineering Week, including a master class on the theory of flight.
 
The workshops formed part of a dedicated Engineering Day, which saw students making radios, building periscopes and learning about flight. Other hands on activities included planning a new road route, planning a housing estate, constructing bridges and land buggies, and learning about disaster management both in the UK and abroad. In addition, 40 pupils visited Winchester NHS Hospital for advice on science related careers.

The day was co-ordinated by Quilley School of Engineering and Solent Skill Quest, and supported by a number local companies, including; Southampton Airport, Ably Shelters, NPower, MottMacdonald, IBM and Eastleigh College. Special guests included The Mayor and Mayoress of Eastleigh.

The Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Peter Wall, commented: “It was wonderful to see all of the students so wholly engaged with engineering.”

Dee Hardy, Assistant Head Teacher at Quilley School of Engineering, said: “The Engineering Day is now an annual event for the whole school and has worked remarkably well thanks to the support from local companies, such as Southampton Airport. Students were able to engage in the subjects and try it out for themselves, making the experience really come alive in the classroom.”

Chas Paley, Multi-Skilled Technician at Southampton Airport, said: “The airport’s engineers participated in the workshop as one of the initiatives linked to the strategic partnership the airport has with the school. I was able to demonstrate to the pupils the theories behind balloon flight and both fixed and rotary winged aircraft too. It was a great pleasure to work with such polite, enthusiastic and motivated students and staff at the school.” 

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