What do circular plane windows, spray-painting with hydraulics, and future engineers have in common? They all came together for a day of invention, learning and (a bit of) mess at the Brooklands Innovation Academy’s (BIA) first ever STEM event!
On Monday 12th May, Alison, Giles and Richard from Sesame Access were proud to join forces with AtkinsRéalis and Brooklands Museum to host a day of engineering-focused workshops for local SEND students (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Sixty students from six Surrey schools, Philip Southcote, Freemantles, Woodfield, Hopescourt, Fernways and Hawley Woods, joined us to explore the world of engineering through hands-on experiments, problem-solving, and a splash of creativity.
Learning from failure
The theme of the day was engineering through failure, because behind every great innovation is a moment where something didn’t work, and that’s often where the magic happens.
Take this fun fact: early aircraft windows were rectangular, until engineers at Brooklands discovered during testing that the sharp corners caused stress points, leading to dangerous cracks. That’s why modern aircraft windows are round! It’s a perfect example of how engineering learns by doing, and sometimes, by doing it wrong first.
The three different workshops
Throughout the day, students rotated through three interactive workshops, each hosted by one of the event partners:
1. Aviation & Flight (AtkinsRéalis)
Students built planes, helicopters and gliders while learning about the science of flight and how AtkinsRéalis helps keep things flying at nearby Heathrow Airport.
2. Structures, Strength & Design (Brooklands Museum)
This workshop put theory into practice: students engineered and built their very own easels to display their artwork, using real tools and testing methods.
3. Pneumatics & Hydraulics (Sesame Access)
We got hands-on with engineering! Students explored how pneumatics and hydraulics power movement, just like the lifts Sesame builds to make buildings accessible. We constructed engineering “spray structures” that could blast paint onto canvases. Students even designed their own 3D-printed manifold to combine four paint hoses into one powerful spray!
By the end, students used their spray-painting machines to create colourful canvases, each held up proudly on their handmade easels. Yes, the paint was incredibly messy… but the students loved it!
Alison Lyons, Director of Commercial Development, said:
“I was incredibly impressed by the students’ engineering knowledge, curiosity and creativity. They asked insightful questions and threw themselves into every task. We talked a lot about how engineers think differently, often creatively, unusually, and how failure is part of the process. Many engineers are dyslexic, and that diversity of thinking is something engineering really needs. At Sesame, we embrace that our team supports each other so our engineers can focus on what they do best: problem-solving.”
“The students told us about their future ambitions, from engineering and the armed forces to arts and drama. It was a brilliant day, and I definitely learnt as much from the students as they did from us.”
A huge thank you to AtkinsRéalis and Brooklands Museum for their inspiring workshops and to the wonderful students and teachers who made the day so special. And of course, to Brooklands Museum, a place steeped in engineering history, for hosting a new generation of innovators.
Sesame Access believe engineering should be accessible to everyone, especially young people who may not see themselves represented in STEM fields. By providing hands-on experiences, celebrating different ways of thinking, and showing that engineering is full of creativity and teamwork, we’re helping build an inclusive future, one young mind at a time.
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