Royal Engineers Inspire School Pupils Through Army Technology

Six-hundred schoolchildren have been taking a look at some of the Army's technology during a visit to Brompton Barracks in Kent.

It was for the Army’s final event in the 'Year of Engineering' and part of a nationwide drive to promote awareness and understanding of the sciences and engineering among young people.

Attendees were given the opportunity to get up close with one of the Army’s Terrier vehicles – fresh back from exercises in Oman.

“You know, it’s brilliant,” Corporal Craig Matthews told Forces News.

“This is a brand new bit of kit for us. It’s only been in service for about three years. Having the whole Year of Engineering, this is a great piece of engineering effect we’ve got.

"The whole science, technology, maths, STEM it all goes into making a bit of equipment like this, which gives us amazing effect out and about the space.”

But while it may all be familiar stuff to the Royal Engineers, it is pretty novel for most of the schoolchildren attending the event:

“This is the first time I have been on the vehicle,” said one attendee, having just clambered out of a Terrier.

“I’ve been able to sit in the vehicle and see how it works and all that.”

“I think it’s pretty cool to be honest,” said another.

“When you think of the Army, like, they’re always fighting but they do other stuff like water and building. It’s pretty cool.”

For those with experience of video games, the chance to handle bomb disposal robots gave them the chance to use some familiar skills:

“It was actually quite easy to use,” said one pupil after handling the robot.

“Despite it being my first time using it, it felt like all the pressure was on me but that I could handle it.”

Organisers say the day is not about recruitment, but inspiring a love of science among the young.

“We’re desperate,” said Major Simon Hall.

“This nation is desperate to have engineers, scientists for the future of our country."

"So if they can think about it not as a boring subject, but actually something that’s quite applicable to everyday life and really interesting, then I’ll be a very happy person,” he concluded.