Pictured above: Matt Edmunds of 3M shows student Francis
McParland how the chemistry behind 3M Novec engineering fluid means
it can act as a fire suppressant without damaging sensitive
electronic equipment - such as a mobile phone
Loughborough high school students were given a demonstration of
innovations that are providing solutions for the future at a
special event staged by the diversified technology company 3M.
3M showcased around 50 of its most recent technologies for
students to understand how the subjects they learn at school are
applied to create new innovations that are changing the world of
industry, commerce, healthcare and everyday life.
The visit by pupils from De Lisle Catholic Science College at
Loughborough was aimed at encouraging them to study the STEM
subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths through to
university.
John Klee of 3M explained: "As a technology company, we need a
strong talent pool of people with the right skills and
qualifications for the future. And we are getting increasingly
concerned about how few students are currently staying with STEM
subjects into university.
"For example, India produces 16 STEM graduates per 10,000 head
of population each year and China produces 15. Here in the UK, the
number is just four.
"We want to do all that we can to increase those numbers in the
UK. We hope that seeing what is being achieved by those who have
made STEM subjects their careers will enthuse today's school pupils
to follow the same path."
Among the many technologies being demonstrated was a virtual
mannequin that can take on any shape; 3D imagery that can be viewed
without the need for glasses; and advanced radio frequency
identification (RFID) solutions for mapping underground pipes.
There were also digital stethoscopes that have been used on the
International Space Station to enable Earth-based physicians to
listen to the heartbeats of astronauts; as well as integrated
technologies for the cars of tomorrow.
The school's Assistant Headteacher Deirdre Cawthorne was there
with the students. "It's been fantastic and the students have loved
it," she said. "Some might have thought the idea of going into
industry would be boring and this has shown them it's anything
but."
The event at The Pera Innovation Park Conference Centre in
Melton Mowbray was the first time in the UK that 3M had showcased
technologies from across its business groups under one roof.