Education Roadshow Programme

For first of a series of educational roadshows focusing on engineering, sciene and technology has been launched at Kirkham Grammer School in Warton, Lancashire. The show will go on to visit another 110 schools around the UK, playing to more than 10,000 young people.

This year's BAE Systems Education Roadshow centres on a new piece of theatre called 'Scrapheap Charlie'. The audience will be invited into the world of a young inventor who builds vehicles from recycled scrap in a hidden den. The performances will be followed by workshops in which young people explore what it means to be an engineer and how they might pursue a career in the field.

This is the third year that the company has run its very successful roadshows programme. Research figures released by BAE Systems this week show that, following its last roadshow for schools, 61% of children questioned said they would actively consider a career in engineering. This contrasts with a recent survey by the Engineering and Technology Board that reported only one in 20 16-19 year olds feel 'well-informed' about the subject and another survey by OCR Exam Board reporting that just 7 per cent of 13-16 year olds think science/engineering is 'cool'.

Since its inception in 2006, the BAE Systems Education Roadshow has visited over 355 schools and performed in front of 43,000 children. The initiative has won the support of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) which have both voiced support for the idea and called for others to follow.

Chairman, Dick Olver said: "While we recognise our responsibilities when it comes to a commitment to education, what I find frustrating is that, too often, it can be difficult for young people to find the inspiration they need at a vital time in their development."