Around 65 students from schools across Devon and Cornwall visited HMS Raleigh for the regional launch of this year’s Engineering Education Scheme.

The scheme, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, runs in England and Scotland. It links teams of Year 12 students and their teacher with local companies to work on real, scientific, engineering and technological problems. The scheme provides students with an in-depth experience in the subject area, enabling them to make an informed decision about their future studies and career.

Working in teams of between four and six people, each group has six months to complete the task set for them by their sponsoring company. Two of the teams this year are being sponsored by the Royal Navy.

During their day at HMS Raleigh the students were introduced to the requirements of the scheme and took part in some practical team-working challenges similar to those undertaking by the Royal Navy’s new recruits.

The scheme is run by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT). The charity delivers over 30,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiences each year, for young people age 11-21 across the UK.