A day at school need not be all about sitting behind a desk – there’s the chance for pupils to get active, bust some military myths and maximise their potential with a visit from one of the army engagement teams based around the UK.
The team from 7 Brigade (The Desert Rats) is one of ten teams who go into schools, colleges, universities, local businesses and community groups to deliver presentations, and set up fun, practical activities.
POSITIVE MEMORIES
These are all aimed at developing communication skills, fostering collaboration, and growing self-confidence, making sure that the children and staff enjoy a positive, memorable day.
The activities can support the school curriculum, including Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM), and can be tailored to work with the organisation’s aims, for example developing communication skills, problem solving, leadership, teamwork or guidance on career opportunities.
IMAGINATIVE ACTIVITIES
Children learn to work with their friends mastering STEM kits, for example, which look like giant Meccano sets, and test their teamwork skills with the cam-net relay challenge (a race scrambling under a camouflage net retrieving various item of military equipment), Stepping Stones, a bridge making challenge and Air Drop, where they have to rescue equipment from an imaginary lava lake.
They’ve been a huge hit with both primary and secondary schools, and always put a smile on small faces.
“It was fun and I learnt a lot about the army. I hope to see them again soon,” said one Year 7 pupil at Orchard Mead Academy in Leicester. A classmate commented: “It was a fun event to see our army, experience it and learn. It showed us what an average army person looks like and what to expect of them.”
The Desert Rats team also sets up obstacle courses, and does demonstrations on patrolling, rations and equipment.
Another primary school was full of praise: “It was really great to see the children working together collaboratively, and thank you so much for making it inclusive for all children including the two we had in wheelchairs.”
FUTURE PLANS
For those employees of the future looking for a little career support, they can also take part in mock interviews and presentations on life skills.
The team has been visiting schools for several years and developed many of the new activities now seen across the UK. One of their goals is to show that soldiers can have rewarding, diverse and varied careers, and build excellent transferable skills in the process. They are always keen to inspire young people to value what they have to offer, maximise their potential and challenge stereotypes, while fostering a greater understanding of the army.
For more information, contact 7X-G9-Engagement@mod.gov.uk