Students get creative at first Humber STEM event

Sewell Construction and other local business were invited to a STEM Day held at Sewell Group Craven Park on Wednesday (29 June). 

The event aimed to expand the number of children aged 7 to 11 who pursue science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and showcase the types of careers available, whilst also broadening participation and inclusion. 

Businesses from across the region were involved in the day, with many holding exciting experiments to engage students from 17 schools across the city, with a focus on STEM subjects and how they relate to the real world. 

Led by Sewell Construction’s Community Investment Champion, Bethany, our experiment focused on biodiversity, how STEM subjects can play a huge part in protecting our environment, and how together, we can build a greener future.  

Bethany said:  

“We wanted the students to have a really hands on experience, so we got them creating their own bug hotels with a selection of recycled materials such as straw, bamboo, dried plant stems and toilet rolls.  

“The wood used to build the bug hotels was waste timber from Paling Joiners along with some of our own waste offcuts, which our apprentice joiners cut into pre-made packs for the children.  

“Not only did this give students an insight into how something as small as a bug hotel can enhance biodiversity in their home community, but it also gave them an understanding of how each of the STEM subjects are linked to the entire construction process. 

“The feedback we received from all the students was great – they enjoyed getting stuck in and were able to take their bug hotels home with them too!” 

With a focus on sustainability and biodiversity, the team wanted to ensure that their exhibition stand had top environmental credentials too. The information boards were printed onto recyclable cardboard and they used upcycled wooden boards, which will be used for other events soon. 

The Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Report (2021) shows a widening of digital inequalities that particularly impact disadvantaged people and rural localities. The report claimed that 22% of all neighborhoods within Hull and East Yorkshire fall into the top 10% most deprived nationally for education, skills and training.  

There is a real need to attract young people in sectors facing the STEM/digital skills gaps and it’s local businesses who can raise this engagement in the future generation, acting as a catalyst in developing young people’s interests as they move through their education. Sewell Construction is passionate about raising aspirations and promoting opportunities for the communities it serves, which is why we were delighted to be involved in this fantastic event, which we hope returns in the future

*Sewell Construction would also like to thank the people involved in helping put this event together; Vic Coupland for helping us source waste cable drums to use as tables, Paling Joiners for waste timber to make the bug hotels, Batty Joinery for the offer of waste timber, Sewell onthego for the recycable bags for the children to take the bug hotels home in, Tuckers Heating and Mechanical Engineers for providing waste cable drums, Liam Johnson (Inmans Primary) for organising the event and providing support. 

And most of all, a huge thanks to all the schools who took part!