Why are STEM Ambassadors so important? During this series of Podcasts, we explore the excellent work of CIHT STEM Ambassadors and why being a STEM Ambassador is so important to the Highways & Transportation Industry.
We will be looking at the positive impact that STEM Ambassadors have, through the different perspectives of Teachers, Employers, STEM Learning and STEM Ambassadors themselves as well as an introduction from CIHT’s very own President, Deborah Simms, who is a STEM Ambassador herself.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
Today we talk to Elliott Murphy from STEM Learning about who STEM Learning are and their role in the STEM ambassador program. We discuss the positive influence of the STEM Learning hubs, the benefits of being a STEM Ambassador and the resources and training opportunities that they provide. We cover the STEM ambassador journey from expression of interest to them planning their first activity and how ambassadors who are members of CIHT and other professional institutions can alight themselves to those institutions via their STEM Learning account.
Name: Elliott Murphy
Job Title: STEM Learning Project Officer
Elliott’s commitment to STEM education is part of everything he does. Whether that’s delivering CPD in STEM subjects, working with STEM role models to bring them into schools as part of the STEM Ambassador Programme or providing bespoke, long-term support and collaboration to and with institutions like CIHT and companies across the UK. Elliott continues to deliver positive STEM interactions and training for teachers, ambassadors, young people and beyond.
Today we talk to Maria Madeley, Head of Science Teacher at Minety Church of England Primary School about the importance of STEM Ambassador activities within School. We discuss how STEM Ambassadors help to contribute to a student’s development and how to align their STEM related activities to the school’s curriculum. We discuss how to use STEM activities to showcase diversity and get more female engineers into the industry and how we ensure the safety off the children during STEM Ambassador visits. Maria explains the term ‘Cultural Collateral’ and why she recommends STEM Ambassadors to other schools.
Name: Maria Madeley
Job title: Head of Science Teacher
Maria was part of the Enthuse partnership whose aim was to inspire girls to study STEM subjects and the career pathways that STEM subjects lead to. As part of this project, Maria took part in a work placement role at National Highways, which gave her an insight into the working of National Highways. Maria transferred this insight to the year six children in school, by organising and running a school club to work through with the children how roads are built. With support from National Highways, they have established a very popular club.
Today we talk to Joel Logue, an employer at Traffic and Road Safety Engineering Consultancy about the benefits of being a STEM Ambassador and how their company contributes to STEM skills development. We discuss how STEM Ambassadors are helping to shape students to have those qualities that are desirable to employers. We look at how STEM Ambassadors contribute to society in terms of engineering and transport and (from an employer’s perspective) what T&RS would like to see graduates being taught in College or Uni that would enable their transition to the work environment easier for them.
Name: Joel Logue
Job Title: Technical Director
Joel brings over 20 years' experience in the fields of highways, traffic and road safety engineering. This experience includes Local Authorities and the private sector. His expertise includes Highway Improvement Schemes, Public Realm Schemes, Casualty Reductions Schemes, Road Safety Auditing and Traffic Management Schemes. Recently, Joel developed the Regional Road Safety Strategy for the West Midlands Combined Authority and is currently delivering Strategic Road Safety Technology solutions which include Average Speed Enforcement Cameras. In addition to being a qualified Civil Engineer, Joel holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning and has taught engineering at various UK academic institutions. He is passionate about engineering CPD and the delivery of high-quality training.
Today we talk to CIHT STEM Ambassador, Garry Packer, on why he became a STEM Ambassador and what he feels his role as a STEM Ambassador is. We discuss the types of activities that Garry undertakes as a STEM Ambassador and dispel the myths that you need to be an Engineer, Teacher or a Transport Planner to be a STEM Ambassador.
Name: Garry Packer
Job Title: Retired
Garry’s career started as an apprentice in the Royal Navy. He has an HNC in electronics, a BA in economics and an MSc in transport planning. After leaving the Royal Navy he worked for Strachan & Henshaw for 10 years before joining the Highways Agency in 1999. Garry initially worked with suppliers developing the optics for LED traffic signals and signs and supported the development of wireless temporary traffic signals. He then moved onto the Highways Agency’s traffic management systems in various roles until he retired from what had become National Highways in 2022.
Garry’s interest in supporting schools started when his own children were at primary school. Seven years ago, he started volunteering as a STEM Ambassador. Garry is a beekeeper; he also enjoys sailing and canoeing in his spare time. He lives in Weston-Super-Mare with his wife and dogs and has two grown up children.
Today we explore with CIHT’s President, Deborah Sims why she became a STEM Ambassador, why STEM is part of her Presidential theme and how STEM Ambassadors helps to bridge the gap between the academic world and the working world. STEM Ambassadors make a genuine and lasting difference to students lives, by giving them a glimpse into the world of work, so they can be better prepared for the journey into the Highways and Transportation Industry. Learn how to become a STEM Ambassador and what the benefits of being a STEM Ambassador are.
Name: Deborah Sims
Job Title: University Lecturer
Employer: University of Greenwich
Deborah is a Chartered Engineer with over 25 years’ experience in Road Safety Engineering, Highway Design, Asset Management and Maintenance. Deborah is now a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering at the University of Greenwich at Medway. Her teaching includes Project Management & Appraisal, Engineering Professional Skills, Construction Management & Technology, and Highway Engineering. She is also the Engineering Employability Champion, Placements Officer, and a member of the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Board.
Deborah is a STEM Ambassador and recently chaired the Careers Guidance Steering Group for the CIHT, developing a pack of materials for use in schools to encourage young people to consider careers in the built environment. Deborah is a Professional Reviewer and has reviewed over 100 CEng / IEng candidates. She is a Trustee of Chatham Maritime Trust and of CIHT.
Becoming a CIHT STEM Ambassador has never been easier. As a CIHT STEM Ambassador, you are required to undertake a minimum of one activity each year.
STEM Ambassadors and the activities they undertake are crucial to the development of and inspiring the next generation to get involved in the industry and make a lasting difference.
STEM Ambassadors inspire young people to continue studying STEM subjects and help them to explore the applications of their studies in the wider world.
>>> Apply to be a STEM Ambassador here
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
Sign up to the APM Newsletter.
