As part of Mary Russell School’s Skills for Work Classes, a team from Taylor Wimpey West Scotland took the opportunity to lead a practical session in school to outline the important part that STEM subjects play within the housebuilding industry.
Using the four key subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths as the pillars of their task, the students were asked to build a model house in their groups. The students had a variety of materials to choose from, and each completed model was judged against set criteria that included whether it was the strongest, tallest, coolest looking, best functioning, cheapest as well as the overall best design.
Photo: STEM project brought to life by students from Mary Russell School and a team from Taylor Wimpey West Scotland
The STEM subjects contribute across a number of disciplines in the housebuilding industry. With the construction of new homes now underway at Taylor Wimpey’s local Hawkhead Gardens in Paisley, it was a great opportunity for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland to give the students an insight into the industry and highlight how important these subjects are in the workplace.
Fraser Martin, joiner for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland who led the sessions as he explains: “When you consider the importance of the STEM subjects across a number of areas of our business, we wanted to create a fun project that brings this to life. We asked the students to build a house from a range of craft materials against set criteria, and it certainly got them thinking and using STEM in real-time to create some great models. “
Susan Hamill, Acting Principal Teacher of Employability at Mary Russell School adds: “Our students have enjoyed learning more about the housebuilding industry and Taylor Wimpey’s insight into the importance of STEM reminds us how crucial learning in these subject areas is for the future of many industries.”
For more information on new homes at Hawkhead Gardens in Paisley, visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/hawkheadgardens.