How a collaborative STEM initiative empowered nearly 1,000 young people across the North East
‘Building Bridges, Constructing Futures’ is an immersive STEM workshop led by Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) and delivered in partnership with industry collaborators. The programme brings a large‑scale, hands‑on cable‑stayed bridge‑building experience directly into North East schools. More than 992 primary‑age pupils have already taken part, gaining practical engineering insight while developing teamwork, safety awareness, and problem‑solving skills.
Designed to engage a wide range of learners, the programme has been especially impactful for students with special educational needs (SEN), who often have limited access to real‑world STEM experiences.
The initiative is spearheaded by STEM Ambassadors Andrew Walker and Paula McMahon, supported by volunteers from SRM, AECOM, CRL, and Meldrum Construction. Andy Walker recently received the STEMPact Award at the 2025 STEM Awards for his leadership on this project.
Andrew Walker, Sir Robert McAlpine, commented:
“Receiving the STEM Pact Award was a real honour, but it reflects the collective effort behind the Building Bridges, Constructing Futures project. Strong leadership in STEM is about creating meaningful partnerships between education and industry, and this initiative has done exactly that—giving young people real insight into careers in engineering and construction while helping to develop the next generation of talent for the sector.”
The core activity involves students constructing a 20‑metre cable‑stayed bridge strong enough for both children and adults to walk across. Each session mirrors a real construction site, complete with briefings, safety protocols, and real engineering roles. The programme is highly adaptable, allowing schools to tailor visits with literacy sessions, career talks, quizzes, and Q&A discussions.
Participants & Reach
- 992 students engaged across the region
- 19 A19 staff & supply chain partners trained and involved in delivery
- 2 young people on work experience trained to help facilitate builds
- 12 classrooms gifted sets of Lottie Books
- Engagement with students across a range of abilities, including those with complex learning difficulties and physical disabilities
What Students Said
“It was really fun. It inspired me. One of the best things we’ve done.”
“I had fun building and learnt a lot!”
“I really enjoyed making the bridge and safety checking it. My favourite part was making the bridge and the PPE. I learnt about health and safety.”
“I really enjoyed how we got to learn to use all of the different tools used to build a bridge, I also enjoyed walking on what we achieved.”
Teacher Reflections
“The impact you had on our students was incredible. They were absolutely buzzing afterwards - proudly telling staff and each other about what they’d achieved, and the excitement in their voices as they described walking across the bridge they built together was something special. For some of our students, particularly one who normally finds it difficult to remain in a lesson for them more than 15 minutes, it was truly transformational. To see that student fully engaged and focus for the entire session was a credit to the way you and your team delivered the activity - with patience, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
It's fair to say you have made a lasting impression, not just on their day, but on how they now view teamwork, engineering, and themselves.”
Challenges Tackled
Delivering the programme at scale involves overcoming several logistical and operational hurdles, including:
- Finding venues with enough space for a 20‑metre bridge and heavy equipment
- Transporting 1.5 tonnes of materials safely
- Training facilitators to meet safety and delivery standards
- Working within school timetable constraints
- Supporting a diverse range of student needs and behaviours
- Engaging schools that can be harder to reach
Programme Highlights
- Exceptional levels of student engagement
- Teachers reporting new levels of confidence and achievement among learners
- Highly inclusive delivery supporting SEN and physically disabled students
- Strengthened collaboration across multiple industry partners
- Many inspirational moments shared across schools
Ambassador & Volunteer Perspectives
“When I was initially asked to take part in the event, I was slightly reluctant. However, I was impressed at the eagerness of the children to participate and learn a new skill, and I think that showed me how important events like this are to get children involved and interested in the industry at a young age.”
The aim is to continue expanding the programme’s reach, delivering sessions to as many schools and students as possible. The initiative continues to attract growing interest from groups such as the North East STEM Foundation and Meldrum Construction. SRM is currently exploring a partnership with the North East STEM Foundation to host the bridge at a central location, enabling multiple schools to benefit.
Building Bridges, Constructing Futures demonstrates the power of collaboration between industry, educators, and STEM ambassadors to create meaningful, inclusive learning experiences. By combining real‑world engineering, strong role models, and a commitment to accessibility, the programme has inspired nearly 1,000 young people to see what’s possible in STEM. As the programme continues to evolve, it remains firmly focused on giving every student the confidence to imagine themselves in a future STEM career.
