 "What's this?" says one student, holding an x-ray up to the light. "Don't know", says another, "but this one is a baby, yeah?".
There's a buzz of chatter and the occasional laugh as students speculate over the dozen or so x-rays before them.
The 'baby' turns out to the image of a kidney, captured using ultrasound technology, and what they thought was an upper arm is actually the thigh bone - or femur, as it's scientifically known.
Alison Hewitt, a radiographer at Wrexham Park Hospital in Slough , has already taken the group through a short history of her career and what the job involves and the x-rays are a fun and informative way of putting all that information into perspective.
She has described how her determination to not settle for second best led to the offer of two jobs in London , after applying for just five.
"You don't sit around waiting for it to happen, you make it happen for yourself," she says.
Her interactive workshop, and two others hosted within Ealing Education Centre in Greenford, have been organised by the Black Pupils Achievement Programme to mark National Science and Engineering Week (9-18 March).
The pilot programme aims to support students of black and dual heritage in achieving or exceeding their potential at school and beyond, and in particular, to close the historical gap that exists between the achievement of these pupils at Key Stage 3 and GCSE, and other groups.
So far, three local schools are involved - Acton High School , Brentside High School and Twyford Church of England High School - and it's already showing early signs of success. Pupils have reported greater confidence and motivation to learn, and it's clear they enjoy the range of targeted activities on offer.
The latest is a series of event organized by Mia Morris consultant to the program from Well Placed Consultancy ' it is important , that workshops get young people thinking more about their options and opportunities, by meeting people who work in the field. '
'This workshop helps students explore the huge variety of careers within science, engineering and technology, 'we pride ourselves in finding the best professionals to inspire and motivate the young people.'
Across the hall, pupils are hearing about the development of Mama's Pot African ready meals, sauces and snacks, produced by Tamar Exotic Meals.
Olawunmi Odunaiya the company's vibrant creator and owner, is explaining the food technology processes required to ensure food stays fresh and is safe to eat.
The Engineering graduate, who previously worked for IBM, tells the students that establishing the company was a huge challenge and many people along the way told her it couldn't be done. Now her products are sold in major supermarkets including Tesco and ASDA.
"I just told myself, 'if somebody else can do it, I can do it'," she says. "It might be hard, but I can do it.
"Having an education equips you to go out there and risk it. I refused to be intimidated.
"People listen to you as well when they see how far you have come."
At the end of the session, Faisal Salah, a Year 9 student at Acton High School , describes the day as "inspirational", "I never knew food involved that much science." |
email: info@wellplaced.co.uk
