Back to experiences

Trip

Network Rail STEM Lab

Interact with Network Rail employees and engage in a range of STEM-related activities linked to the rail industry.

Network Rail STEM Lab

Network Rail has created a dedicated space allowing schools and youth organisations to come in and interact with their employees. They aim to inspire children through activities showing that the rail and engineering industry can be diverse and fun, whilst developing both their technical and essential skills.

Activities include:

  • Ozobot activity courses - Create your own track for our mini robots (Ozobots) and code them to perform different actions using coloured markers. You will then learn how to code the robot correctly in line with different rail-related scenarios.
  • Bridge/tower Building – Work in a team to create a bridge or tower suitable for the project specification given. Learn to manage your budget as you’ll be able to purchase ‘add-ons’ to make your project stand out from the rest.

Network Rail aim to show that both their company and industry are attainable by all regardless of gender, ethnicity and social background, breaking any pre-existing stereotypes they may have.

Capacity

Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 15 participants.

Duration

The duration of the experience depends on the number of activities you choose to include in your visit to the STEM Lab. Each activity takes approximately 30 minutes and they ask for teachers to allow for 30 minutes at the start and end of the session for introduction, evaluation forms, and closing. Upon receiving your email to book the lab, one of the STEM Lab leads will be in touch to create and tailor the day to your specifics needs and the demographic of the group.

Learning outcomes

  • Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects

  • Learning what the engineering workplace is like

  • Develop engineering employability skills

  • Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers

  • Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Topics

    • Materials

Working scientifically

Whichever curriculum your school follows, pupils should have the opportunity to carry out practical investigations in science that help them to develop their scientific skills. This experience builds the following enquiry skills:

  • Asking questions
  • Making predictions
  • Observing and measuring
  • Interpreting and communicating results
  • Evaluating

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

  • Aiming high - the ability to set clear, tangible goals and devise a robust route to achieving them.

  • Creativity - the use of imagination and the generation of new ideas.

  • Leadership - supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal.

  • Listening - the ability to listen and understand information.

  • Problem solving - the ability to find a solution to a complex situation or challenge.

  • Speaking - the oral transmission of information or ideas.

  • Staying positive - the ability to use tactics to overcome setbacks and achieve goals.

  • Teamwork - working cooperatively with others towards achieving a shared goal.

Good for a career in...

  • Computing
  • Construction
  • Rail and road transport
What the teachers say

We would love to read all about your time with this experience!

Log in to write a testimonial
Icon representing Primary education Primary
Project

The Butterfly Effect, by Jacobs

The Butterfly Effect is a program designed to create lasting behavior change and habit formation by providing primary school students with the knowledge and understanding they need to put sustainability at the heart of every decision they make as the consumers of the future.

  • Ages 5 to 11
  • Online
  • Flexible project work
  • Free
Icon representing Primary education Primary
Speaker

STEM Ambassadors

STEM Ambassadors from a wide range of STEM-related jobs help to bring subjects to life!

  • Ages 5 to 11
  • In-school
  • Full day
  • Free

Careers resources