About Launchpad for Learning

Launchpad for Learning was first set up as an active partnership between industry and academia addressing the need for more first class scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians (STEM) in the UK; as they will become the essential element of that world-class workforce. Registered as a charity in July 2005, Launchpad for Learning seeks to actively promote the education and innovative learning of young people for exciting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the 21st century). Its formal objectives are:

To deliver lectures and challenges to schools on exciting aerospace subjects
To influence school children to take an interest in aerospace exhibitions, especially the biennial Farnborough International Airshows, and to discover more about possible careers
To develop learning resources in schools
To research learning techniques
To showcase quality STEM learning resources on the worldwideweb
To encourage education and industry to address and enhance the mathematics, technology & science curriculum in schools
To establish best current practice and a business education network
To be an influential voice in promoting the cause of science and technology
To support the accreditation of skills and academic abilities required and accepted by employers
To work with other charities and organisations with similar interests and objectives.

Initially targeted on aerospace, its work is focused on a structured sequence of objectives to be completed during the next 2 years - namely to:

  1. Utilize the programmes of opportunity, involvement, and training between industry and academia to create an overarching data-base of schools, colleges and universities, industry and other organizations within the UK aerospace community willing to support Launchpad for Learning.
  2. Create a database of education curriculum content and method of amendment.
  3. Provide a method of utilizing company sponsored project work within the school curriculum, based on in-house solutions to problems faced in various disciplines; eg, manufacture, quality, production, and operation.
  4. Develop a Motivation and Performance tracking tool to accurately assess the difference between an individual’s qualifications and the actual requirements of the job; thus allowing changes to be drafted to the school curriculum to be addressed with accuracy and timeliness.
  5. From these individual elements then create an Internet web site of youth experience, adventure and lifestyle opportunities, and career pathways coupled to any special needs.

In parallel with this project work, and to proactively engage with industry and academia whilst the project work listed is undertaken, Launchpad for Learning seeks to undertake a range of short-term initiatives:

a. A Careers in Aerospace forum.

b. A space-related project.

c. A schools civil aircraft design competition.

d. A lecture programme in Northern Ireland.

e. A lecture to London schools on UAVs.

f. A GCSE on Aviation and Flight.

g. A Robotics games event.

h. An IGT Careers in Aerospace event.

Each of these can be tackled individually and, subject to appropriate sponsorship support, titled accordingly with the sponsors name and details.

Summary

The shape of the 21st Century aerospace sector is entirely dependent on recruiting, training and retaining through a full career cycle young people who will be the scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians of the future for the sector. The challenges facing the aerospace sector are quite unique as designs providing faster, quieter, and more environmentally friendly aircraft become ever more prevalent. Yet that challenge cannot be faced without high caliber, committed, and enthusiastic individuals with ability, skill and ambition, and who are prepared to challenge convention in providing innovative options.

Can your industry or company meet the challenge?

Launchpad for Learning welcomes the opportunity to provide the means for that challenge to be met, at whatever level of education or training, and across the arenas of industry, academia and the young people themselves; but it requires sponsorship to do so.