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In November 2022, Bourne Education Trust was delighted to be a strategic partner of Brooklands Museum – delivering the first STEM innovation academy as part of the National Science Summer School Programme. This partnership was an incredible example of the power of collaboration and championed the Trust’s learning without borders ideology – encouraging schools to work with one another and their communities in a more integrated way and in less of a silo for the benefit of all.

Read more about the Innovation Academy as part of the National Science Summer School Programme below:

Engineers and scientists from organisations such as McLaren F1, Airbus, the NHS and Haleon joined over 400 students at Brooklands Museum on 29th November 2022. Hosted by Brooklands Museum, the event celebrated innovation, human endeavour, and entrepreneurship, all trademarks of this historic home of British motor sport and aviation and still totally relevant today and in sync with the Science Summer School ethos. The event brought together an extraordinary range of STEM experts and highlighted the exciting career opportunities and challenges in sectors ranging from MedTech and motorsport through to aerospace and robotics.

Speakers included Professor Brian Cox with a virtual presentation entitled ‘The origins of the universe, cosmology and black holes’; World Land Speed Record holder, Wing Commander Andy Greene OBE;  Kirsty Murphy MBE, the first female Red Arrow pilot; and Dr Alice Bunn OBE, Chief Executive of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers.  

21 workshops included aerodynamic design and materials with engineers from McLaren F1; the Bloodhound Education team looked at the physics behind the 1,000mph land speed record car; NHS and Bayer hosted workshops around careers in health, including a giant inflatable heart that students could climb through; Airbus discussed lunar moon landers and aircraft design; Brooklands College got students to conduct a race car pitstop and solve a simulated forensic crime scene investigation; and Lead Sponsor Haleon presented workshops on the science behind making toothpaste, packaging design, and the world of microbiology.

A careers fair and special evening event attended by students, their parents and project stakeholders continued the daytime theme highlighting STEM careers.  Inspirational speakers included civil engineer, Ayo Sokale and pilot Kirsty Murphy. 

Brooklands Innovation Academy was made possible through support from Haleon, an international company based near Brooklands, whose early investment and backing helped to get the project airborne; also, grateful thanks to the NHS, NW Surrey Alliance, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital, Surrey County Council and a range of local companies and organisations.