London Gatwick opens brand new STEM centre to inspire local children and students to pursue airport-related careers
- The STEM centre will be equipped with interactive exercises such as a water treatment lab and runway lighting rig
- Specialist facility will encourage school children to study STEM subjects and explore careers in aviation
- Skills in science, technology, engineering and maths are critical to aviation and the running of the airport
London Gatwick has opened its doors to a brand-new STEM centre (Science Technology Engineering and Maths), a bespoke, hands-on space to engage and teach school children across the region about STEM and aviation.
The STEM centre will benefit thousands of pupils across the South East from ages 4-18 with a unique opportunity to learn and explore careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. STEM is vital to Gatwick with hundreds of career options available at the airport itself and the many partners who work together to keep the airport running.
The hands-on activities on offer include a water treatment lab, bridge building activities and an Archimedes screw exercise. A mocked-up airfield rig will allow students to practice changing the lights along the runway under a time limit. The space also has classrooms, tablets and quiet areas, providing the opportunity for both theory and practical learning. There are also dedicated facilities for students with special educational needs.
Skills in science, technology, engineering and maths are critical to aviation and are recognised as a priority for education nationally. London Gatwick has a long track record in prioritising STEM in education programmes and outreach to local schools. More than 70,000 students benefitted from London Gatwick’s education programmes in the last academic year (2022-23), a large part of those programmes were focussed on STEM.
The specially adapted space, situated landside at the airport, will act as a one-year pilot to test demand and gain feedback from students and schools to inform the airport’s longer-term STEM education and engagement plans.
Alison Addy, Head of External Engagement and Policy, said: “We are thrilled to be opening this brand new, specialist facility within London Gatwick.
“The STEM centre is at the heart of Gatwick’s Employment, Skills and Business Strategy, which shapes the future direction of the airport’s work in developing opportunities for the region. A diverse and skilled pipeline of local talent is critical to a healthy labour market and London Gatwick’s future growth.
“There is an array of fantastic and fun activities on offer. We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming schools and students from across the region into the centre to provide a unique, hands-on educational experience at the UK’s second busiest airport.”
Gatwick’s Employment, Skills and Business Strategy is a core part of Gatwick’s proposals to bring its Northern Runway into regular use alongside its Main Runway. This low impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs.
As Gatwick looks to the future with Northern Runway plans, the airport is enhancing its education outreach by delivering STEM engagement on site at the airport with the aim to inspire and motivate young people to pursue STEM studies and airport-related careers.
London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and is a vital piece of national infrastructure that helps drive both the regional and national economy. More than 40 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations. The airport is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably in the long term. It has ambitious plans to be a net zero airport by 2030 and increase capacity by bringing its Northern runway into routine use. Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99% interest.
The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
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Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With decarbonization central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. Headquartered in New York, GIP has offices in Brisbane, Dallas, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, Singapore, Stamford and Sydney.
GIP has approximately $100 billion in assets under management. Our portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $80 billion and employ over 100,000 people. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our investors' capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.
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London, UK, 19 September 2023
London Gatwick’s education programmes reach more than 70,000 local students
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