DefenceEducationGosportNewsTop Stories

Students sample SULSTEMIC event from HMS Sultan

By Matthew Hibberd

HMS SULTAN have celebrated the exciting world of Royal Navy (RN) Engineering and STEM as young people from multiple local schools visited the Gosport-based training establishment last month for ‘SULSTEMIC’; which aims to showcase how engineering contributes to technology in the 21st century.

Approximately two hundred students aged from eleven to twelve years old attended the action packed day of interactive displays and themed activities on June 20; which were run by both staff and volunteers at HMS Sultan. The Year Seven pupils further learned how Royal Navy engineers / technicians keep aircraft, ships and submarines driving forwards on their operations.

Around two hundred year 7 pupils aged 11-12 enjoyed an action-packed day of interactive displays and activities showcasing how engineering contributes to technology. In addition, the children learned how Royal Navy engineers and technicians keep Royal Navy aircraft, ships and submarines driving forwards on operations.

RN Air Engineers introduced the young people to principles of fault diagnosis in helicopters as well as the basics of conducting a flight service and maintaining ‘Survival Equipment’. RN Marine Engineers also enabled the young people to get ‘hands on’ building circuit boards, experimenting with generators, building DC motors alongside fitting flanges and fixing machines.

STEM specialists from across industry provided a number of interactive stands and displays for students to explore; which included technology trucks with AI / 3D printing, thermal imagery and a series of enjoyable interactive games. The HMS Sultan Field Gun Crew additionally gave a brilliant demonstration ahead of the Field Gun Competition that was held at the HMS Collingwood Open Day on July 6.

Prizes were on offer throughout the day for schools who achieved top scores across multiple activities and this appeared to give further incentive to work together as teams in a competitive manner. These were presented to the winners by Rear Admiral Steven McCarthy RN, who is the Director Ship Operations and Chief Naval Engineer Officer at HMS Sultan.

St Edmund’s Catholic School in Portsmouth were in attendance and one of their students, Alexei, was highly positive of the day. They said: “I have found the day really fun and encouraging. There’s lots of activities all around and we’ve done lots as a team, like building boats out of tinfoil and card to see how many marbles they can hold. I’ve enjoyed looking at thermals and seeing how heat travels.”

A science teacher from the same school, Mary Germain, added: “It’s been amazing, the kids have had a lovely time, it’s been engaging and really child orientated. It links directly to all the science and engineering curriculum that we teach and just gives them a hands-on idea that there are careers that they might not have considered.”

She continued to outline the impact that the trip across the water had on the students: “With all the different people talking to them throughout, the day gives them ideas above and beyond their small worlds of home and at school, where they will mainly see teachers.”

Commanding Officer, Captain Mark Hamilton, spoke about the need for students to learn about skills and potential career opportunities that are available for students should they want to pursue them. He said: “Engineering is a fascinating industry, where problem solving, and hands-on skills combine to bring technology from concept into reality.”

“My own experience within the Royal Navy have been highly rewarding, from operating small patrol ships in South Georgia, to being the senior Marine Engineering Officer on HMS Queen Elizabeth as it operates Lighting II, F-35 jets. The technology we use continues to evolve, with future platforms such as the Type 26 Frigate and Dreadnought submarines all underpinned by the engineers and technicians who will maintain them.”

“As a centre for engineering excellence, our STEM Ambassadors are always looking to educate, inspire and encourage people to get involved and I am incredibly proud of all the Sultan team, who have delivered SULSTEMIC for the schools here today. Engineering and STEM is at the heart of practically everything we do at Sultan and used throughout society and is open to everyone.”

PICTURED BY PEPE HOGAN (PO PHOTOGRAPHER): Pupils from Fareham Academy learn about building electrical circuits at SULSTEMIC event.