Super sewer helping to create future generation of engineers

Tideway, the company building London’s super sewer, is supporting British Science Week as part of its push to create a pipeline of talent into engineering and construction careers.

Tideway has several science and engineering-themed events planned with schools from around London for the 10-day celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Led by the British Science Association, the events provide a platform to stimulate and support teachers, professionals, pupils and the public to participate in STEM activities.

Shireen Ali-Khan, Education Lead at Tideway, says “We are keen to support schools across the route of the tunnel and encourage young people to increase their interest in STEM subjects.

“We do this through a number of initiatives including our STEM Ambassadors, hands on activities and Tunnelworks, our interactive Virtual Reality App.

“There are also opportunities for those aged 16 and over who are interested in engineering, design or construction to get first-hand work experience on the project.

“British Science Week is a perfect opportunity to host students at our sites and on the river, to teach them about what we’re doing and how the subjects they take at school can lead them to a career working on major projects like this.”

Over the course of the week up to 700 pupils will take part in a series of events led by Tideway staff and volunteers.

Participants will include students from St Martin’s in the Field (Lambeth), Chelsea Academy (Kensington and Chelsea), St John’s Waltham Green Primary School (Hammersmith and Fulham), Alec Reed (Ealing), Sacred Heart High School (Hammersmith and Fulham), Christ the King Sixth Form College (Lewisham) and Greenwich primary schools.

The week will come to a close with Tideway supporting the ‘Big Bang @ School’ event on Friday 16 March at St Martins’ in the Field. This event enables schools to host their own Science and Engineering Fairs, inspiring pupils and other local schools into the wonders of engineering and STEM careers. Pupils will show case projects they have been working on and Tideway staff will lead on hands on activities throughout the day.

It is part of the wider Big Bang programme, led by Engineering UK in partnership with over 200 organisations.

Other events include guided river walks, practical demonstrations and interactive workshops using Virtual Reality.