BESL Deliver Inspiring STEM Sessions For Cantonian High School Pupils

Our Fairwater Community Campus team recently attended Cantonian High School as part of the school’s work experience enrichment programme, delivering a full day of hands-on STEM sessions for Year 8 pupils.

The sessions were designed to give pupils a genuine insight into careers within STEM, construction and engineering, while allowing them to develop practical skills in an engaging and interactive setting. By combining learning with real-world application, the aim was to make career pathways feel accessible, relevant and exciting.

Throughout the day, pupils were split into groups of four and rotated through a series of activities, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to take part in each workshop and experience different aspects of the industry.

We were joined by a fantastic group of industry experts who brought their knowledge, enthusiasm, and practical skills into the classroom:

• Natalie Evans from Evans Electrical led a popular session on safely rewiring a plug. Pupils got hands-on with the basics of electrical wiring –  a valuable life skill and a strong introduction to the electrical trade.

• Jessica Dix from CMB Engineering guided pupils through a precision-focused engineering session, teaching them how to interpret CAD drawings and fit pipework onto specially prepared boards. The activity demonstrated how technical drawings translate into practical installation and highlighted the importance of accuracy in the workplace.

• Representing BESL, Sarah Burge introduced civil engineering through a creative (and very messy) spaghetti tower challenge. Working in teams, pupils competed to build the tallest and strongest structures possible, developing teamwork and problem-solving skills along the way.

• James Gill from Seer Construction delivered a practical paving session, explaining why solid foundations are essential before laying bricks and demonstrating how herringbone patterns are formed. The session felt particularly relevant as Seer had previously completed the herringbone pathway outside the school, helping pupils connect the lesson to their everyday surroundings.

The enrichment day was a great success, with pupils actively participating in each session and showing strong enthusiasm throughout. Events like this offer pupils a hands-on learning experience that supports classroom learning while helping them explore different career routes in an exciting and memorable way.

BESL would like to thank Cantonian High School for welcoming us, and a huge thank you to all our colleagues and industry partners for giving their time and energy to inspire the next generation.