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Building the Future: Year 9 Girls Explore Engineering Under the Tamar Bridge

This week, Year 9 students from across campus, took part in the Women in STEM Engineering Day at the Tamar Bridge. The event, run by YMCA Plymouth in partnership with Tamar Crossings, was designed to give students a practical insight into engineering and STEM careers.

Despite the midday heat, the students approached the challenges of the day with a positive attitude. Guided by expert staff, they were given rare access to the bridge anchorage and the sections beneath the main deck to learn how the structure is maintained.

For many, getting to see the inner workings of such an iconic local landmark was the highlight of the day.

"It was a great opportunity and so much fun getting to go under the Tamar Bridge to find out how it all works. I’ve never experienced anything like it before, and seeing it up close just made me even more curious about engineering." - Isla

Alongside the tour, students engaged in hands-on workshops with industry professionals from Babcock, AECOM, The Focus Group, and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). These interactive sessions proved highly eye-opening, helping students connect what they learn in school to real-world career paths.

"I had a great day learning about how engineering works and the qualifications you need. It was amazing to see such a massive range of career opportunities in the STEM industry." - Bonnie

The event organisers and employees commended the students for their exemplary behaviour and thoughtful questions. The day clearly succeeded in sparking inspiration for the future, as students reflected on life after school:

"I really enjoyed today because it showed us the types of things we can do when we are older and opened up so many new career opportunities to look into." - Issy

Our students were an absolute credit to the school, and we hope the experience provided a useful foundation for their future career choices. We would like to extend a huge thank you to YMCA Plymouth and Tamar Crossings for making this fantastic visit possible.