Students watch science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in action at RAF Marham

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Year 10 students from seven Norfolk and Suffolk schools took part in an interactive workshop event at RAF Marham to learn how important those subjects are for the military.

Eight stalls stationed at the base air hangar gave students insight into how RAF equipment were linked to STEM subjects, including dealing with fuel spills, detecting damage within engines and survival equipment.

Squadron Leader Angelina Littlefield said: 'Across the station there are different STEM areas and on each one there is a hands-on activity.

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'This showcases STEM subjects in action which they may not necessarily have seen before. 'They can see what they can do with it in the future and have a look to see what we do everyday at the RAF with STEM.'

Each school were also tasked with creating their own model aircraft for a competition where prizes were awarded for best design and the most accurate test flight.

Corporals Ben Warnes and Paul Roney were able to show students new equipment which combines all STEM subjects to detect damage within engines.

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The Mentor Visual IQ machine, which the base has only had for about a month, uses a small camera to calculate accurate measurements of damage inside aircraft machinery.

Cpl Roney said: 'We talk to the students about maintenance and prolonging the life of Tornados. 'There is elements of maths, with the measurements, and science, when looking at the temperature these engines works at and the melting point of the metal.'

The students - from Nicholas Hamond Academy, Springwood High School, Northgate High School, Dereham Neatherd High School, Smithdon High School, Downham Market Academy and Bury St Edmunds County Upper School - also took part in the model aircraft heats to test their creations before competition time.

Weapons technician DJ Le Claire showing Downham Market Academy students a 27 millimetre Mauser Cannon at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Winner of the aircraft accuracy test was Springwood High School and best design went to Bury St Emdunds County Upper School.

Smithdon student Sam Hudson, 14, said: 'It has been really interesting, my favourite part has been the technology stuff especially looking at thermal imaging.'

Weapons technician DJ Le Claire showing Downham Market Academy students a 27 millimetre Mauser Cannon at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Weapons technician DJ Le Claire showing Downham Market Academy students a 27 millimetre Mauser Cannon at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Pictured are Downham Market Academy students. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Neatherd High School students testing their model aircrafts at the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Neatherd High School students testing their model aircrafts at the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Neatherd High School students testing their model aircrafts at the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Neatherd High School students testing their model aircrafts at the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Neatherd High School students testing their model aircrafts at the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eight interactice stands were avalable to students as part of the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event held at RAF Marham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

At the STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event at RAF Marham, speaking to Smithdon High School students about aviation fuels is AJ Littlefield. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

A STEM (Science, Thechnology, Engineering and Maths) event was held at RAF Marham to provide students the opportunity to see first-hand how eqiupment is used at the base. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)