Thirteen of our enthusiastic Year 9 students recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a Science and Medicine Careers Day hosted by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the Armed Forces. The event offered a unique and exciting blend of hands-on learning, real-life scenarios, and inspiring career insights.
From the outset, our students demonstrated exemplary behaviour and outstanding engagement, immersing themselves fully in every workshop and challenge they faced throughout the day.
The experience began with a carousel of interactive workshops where students engaged directly with professionals including pharmacists and opticians. They explored highly specialised eye and ear testing equipment, and even used stethoscopes connected to iPads to listen to simulated heart conditions such as arrhythmias and even the effects of being submerged underwater.
A particularly memorable part of the day was delivered by the non-combatant medical forces, who led a vital life-saving CPR session, teaching students’ key techniques that could one day help save lives.
For those interested in vehicles and technology, the chance to see and explore an Army Medic Ambulance with a powerful V8 engine was a highlight. Students were able to try on body armour and helmets used in real combat zones, gaining a tangible insight into the life of an army medic.
The afternoon was packed with immersive, scenario-based training, where students worked alongside army medics to apply tourniquets, field bandages, and even gunshot wound plasters. They then took part in a realistic combat medical rescue mission including army crawling under nets, navigating a darkened casualty tent, and working in teams to carry injured mannequins to safety using stretchers.
The day concluded with a compelling and inspiring careers talk, where army professionals shared their personal journeys into medicine and science within the armed forces, highlighting the vast range of career opportunities available beyond the battlefield.
It was a truly enriching and memorable experience for our Year 9s, who left not only more knowledgeable but also inspired by the powerful combination of science, medicine, and service.
