Baxi expands STEM partnership to inspire future engineers
Baxi has announced an expanded three-year partnership with not-for-profit organisation, Primary Engineer, aimed at bringing STEM learning into classrooms and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Funded by the BDR Thermea Foundation, the initiative follows the announcement of Baxi’s four-year principal Sponsorship of World Skills UK. The new agreement will now also cover Warwick, where the company’s UK headquarters is based.
60 primary schools across Warwick and Preston will connect over 3,000 pupils with real-world Baxi engineers who will help them to develop skills, confidence and curiosity around engineering. The programme consists of two curriculum-linked engineering projects for Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11) that encourage pupils to design, build and present their ideas. The initiative will simultaneously train more than 100 teachers who will be directly supported by the Baxi volunteer engineers during both training and classroom delivery.
The initiative also includes a three-year partnership for the ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ competition in Lancashire and West Central England. Open to pupils aged 3 to 19, the competition invites participants to interview engineers, learn about the breadth of engineering careers and develop imaginative solutions to real-world challenges. Baxi’s engineers will be involved in grading entries, judging shortlisted designs and celebrating the winners at regional exhibitions and awards ceremonies.
“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Primary Engineer, with the support of the BDR Thermea Foundation, to include schools across both our Warwick and Preston locations,” said Carolyn Sidebotham, Head of L&D at Baxi UK and Ireland. “It’s essential we encourage and inspire the next generation of young engineers to help us in the critical transition to clean heating and hot water – and this programme, which involves our own engineers, is a fantastic way to do just that. Research shows that STEM aspirations and perceptions are formed during the primary years, so engaging with pupils at this early stage is vital to encourage a larger and more diverse talent force. By bringing engineering to life in such a fun and informative way, we hope to show what a meaningful career opportunity this sector offers.”
The Primary Engineer programme will begin in the autumn when teachers in the Preston and Warwick participating schools, supported by our engineers and the Primary Engineer team, will be introduced to this year’s construction projects.
