Year 6 pupils at Northampton school get hands-on engineering experience in UK first

Caroline Chisholm School welcomed the UK launch of Otis' Little Engineers initiative, with 30 Year 6 pupils taking part in a morning of interactive learning about elevators, engineering and passenger safety.

The programme, which was first introduced in Hong Kong before expanding across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, aims to introduce primary-aged children to the world of vertical transportation through practical STEM activities.

Four volunteers from Otis, a global manufacturer and service provider of elevators and escalators, led the sessions, explaining how elevators work, their history and the latest technology behind them.

Pupils also took part in hands-on activities, including a hovercraft challenge and a miniature elevator demonstration, designed to bring engineering concepts to life in an engaging way.

Andrew Fisher, vice principal at Caroline Chisholm School, said: "We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the first school in the UK to take part in the Little Engineers project.

"The day was fantastic and gave our students a wonderful insight into careers in STEM, as well as the skills and aptitudes needed to succeed. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Otis team for the way they delivered the sessions. Our students had the best time."

According to Otis, the programme is designed not only to encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from an early age, but also to teach important elevator safety messages.

The company said the event also gave its employees an opportunity to share their expertise with young people, inspire future engineers and strengthen links with the local community.

The Northampton session marked the first time the Little Engineers programme has been delivered in the UK, with organisers hoping it will inspire children to consider future careers in engineering and other STEM-related industries.