Nether Stowe students enjoy ‘fascinating’ visit to University of Birmingham

An inspirational trip to Aston University left its mark on students from Nether Stowe School after they got a chance to synthesise dye in a real-life laboratory.

And the inquisitive group from the Lichfield school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, were also energised by a fascinating tour of the university’s cutting-edge sustainable power institute.

Ten Year 12 and 13 students from the school took part in the visit to the university’s main campus in Birmingham, in an event designed to give them an insight into possible careers in the science and engineering sectors.

The students started the day with a talk about chemical engineering by one of the university’s chemical engineering lecturers, before donning lab coats to create their own synthesized dye in a teaching laboratory.

They were then each given a tote bag, which they ‘tie-dyed’ using the colour they created.

Then, as their newly-decorated bags dried, the students stepped into the high-tech world of sustainable power, with a behind-the-scenes visit to the university’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI).

Teacher Laura Fairbrother explained:

“The students found the tour of the EBRI really interesting, as they got to see how they made different forms of renewable energy there and even got to have a go on one of the machines.”

Then, before collecting their finished tie-dyed tote bags as mementoes of the day, the students were given a tour of the university.

Miss Fairbrother said: “The visit was a great success and the students really enjoyed themselves. The aim was to give pupils a taster of what a laboratory in the real world is like and to open their eyes to the opportunities of careers in the sector. It has also created important ties with the university and we’re already talking about having more visits.”

Nether Stowe Headteacher Glyn Langston-Jones said:

“Trips like this are important because they not only give students a glimpse of what studying at university will be like, they also provide aspirational insights into sectors where they might go on to work. We are very grateful to Aston University for organising such a fascinating visit for our students.”

Captions:

Nether Stowe students show off their tie-dyed tote bags, decorated using dyes they synthesised in a laboratory at Aston University.

The Nether Stowe students in the university’s cutting-edge Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute.