Will.i.am and Tim Peake back primary school engineering and STEM skills plan

By The Post schools reporter

The Voice TV star Will.i.am and other celebrities including Tim Peake have joined forces with business bosses to back a campaign for engineering to be taught in primary schools.

A group of 150 engineers, scientists another supporters led by the Institution of Engineering and Technology has written to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying the plan could transform the economy.

The letter was also signed by Carol Vorderman, Rolls-Royce, Vodafone and the Ministry of Defence.

They say the shortage of engineers is costing £1.5 billion a year.

They call on the government to join the campaign and contribute to securing the future as a nation of innovators.

According to the Times newspaper, Will.i.am, said: “Inquisitive thinking combined it with STEM skills teaching needs to start earlier in schools.

“This is how the UK will eventually have enough bright minds to fill the scores of tech job vacancies with a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”

Many primary schools across the country are already promoting engineering and STEM subjects in their studies.

STEM teaching already in action in primary schools

In 2019, Year five pupils from Castle Batch Primary School Academy and St Anne’s Church Academy in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset were involved in a STEM day at Priory Community School Academy in the town.

Students from the schools Jill Dando News Centres reported on the STEM activities which promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The schools in The Priory Learning Trust regularly inspire the pupils and students with brilliant teaching on STEM.

Grammy Award winner will.i.am is one of the founding members of the Black Eyed Peas. 

Will.i.am first caught the public ear as a member of the Black Eyed Peas, which started out as a trio making underground hip hop before pivoting to become a pop-rap group and finding international success. 

He’s also a solo artist and a producer who has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world. More recently he’s been nurturing the dreams of other artists as a judge and coach on the UK version of The Voice. https://www.theplt.org.uk