National Grid Enterprise Science & Technology Day - 25th May 2007

On 25th May, 30 managers from National Grid visited Northampton Academy to work with around 50 Year 9 and 10 students.

Students were shown a short film explaining what National Grid does and where they operate, their core values and mission statement.

The students were split into 6 teams with 2 teams operating in a classroom. National Grid staff planned and delivered 3 different lessons based around 3 different themes lasting about 75 minutes each. Each team of students would experience each lesson on a rota basis.

Students were immersed in a variety of themes including:

• Beach to meter – explaining how Gas gets from Gas rig at sea to a house. Students got involved by role playing using real protective clothing/equipment and using working models to gain hands on understanding
• Cable investigation – detecting hidden or underground electricity cables with special audio and sonic equipment supplied by National Grid for the day
• Practical welding of 2 gas papers using state of the art equipment again supplied by National Grid for the day.

The day was closed with a presentation by Mr Adrian Scoffield, Engineering Services Manager at National Grid Northampton, where students were awarded with certificates and goody bags from National Grid.

The day was a resounding success for both students and National Grid staff – we’re still not sure who learnt the most!

"This is the type of relationship we are keen to develop with the business community – National Grid have been able to develop their management teams whilst our students have gained an enormous amount today in terms of scientific application and business & enterprise skills. This is a real win-win and we look forward to developing our links with National Grid further."
-Richard Moore, Director of Business & Enterprise, Northampton Academy