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Bringing STEM to life for Birmingham pupils

UK: Daikin has welcomed pupils and teachers to its Birmingham Training Academy, giving the children a chance to explore science and engineering outside the classroom.

The invitation to 45 nine and 10-year-olds (year 5) pupils, and five teachers, from Meadow Green Primary School in Wythall was part of Daikin’s commitment to supporting education and building stronger connections between schools and local employers. 

Daikin insists that by introducing children to practical science at primary-school age, the event aimed to build their confidence, encourage curiosity and show them where an interest in STEM subjects could lead.

During the visit, pupils took part in interactive activities covering electricity, pressure, temperature, airflow and heat transfer. They built electrical circuits, used equipment including multimeters and infrared cameras, and explored how heat pumps and air conditioning systems work.

A virtual reality demonstration let the pupils experience a heat pump installation and see how technical knowledge is applied in practice. Questions and quizzes helped the children consolidate their learning throughout the morning.

“Children begin forming ideas about their abilities and future careers from an early age, so it’s important that they have opportunities to experience STEM in an enjoyable and practical way,” explained Rachel McCrystal, Daikin UK’s social impact and sustainability manager.

“By opening our training facilities to local schools, we can bring classroom learning into a real working environment and introduce young people to careers they may not otherwise encounter. Many young people have limited opportunities to see engineering in a working environment or meet people who use science and technology in their everyday roles, and we hope experiences like this help change that.”

The visit follows the success of Daikin’s first Birmingham school STEM event in 2025. Meadow Green Primary School returned for a second year after positive feedback from pupils and teachers.

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