Students from Buckinghamshire Explore Aerospace Careers at Beaconsfield High School

The Schools’ Aerospace Careers Programme (ACP) visited Beaconsfield High School on Wednesday 12th November 2025, where around 80 students took part in an inspiring day dedicated to the future of aerospace, innovation, and technology. The audience included students not only from the host school but also from Chiltern Hill Academy, Reading Blue Coat School, and Akeley Wood School, reflecting the growing regional interest in the ACP’s educational outreach.

The morning began with a series of presentations designed to open students’ eyes to the scale and pace of change in the aerospace sector. Chris Marshall introduced the day with an overview of new and emerging technologies shaping modern flight and engineering. He was joined by Ogi Damjanovic, who explored how virtual reality and digital design are revolutionising the way aircraft and systems are conceived, and Mike Stokes, who shared a professional insight into training and career pathways for commercial pilots, with a variety of prospective commercial pilot careers that stretch beyond traditional airlines.

After lunch, the focus turned from listening to doing. Students rotated through a series of practical breakout sessions that brought the earlier discussions to life. FPV drone simulators, run by Chris Marshall, provided an introduction to drone flight control and aerodynamics. Mike Stokes led the VR flight experience, allowing participants to explore real cockpit environments, while Ogi Damjanovic guided groups through 3D VR design sessions, showing how creativity and technology intersect in modern aerospace engineering.

One of the standout features of the day was Spot, the quadruped robot from Boston Dynamics. Operated by the ACP team, Spot interacted directly with students through an integrated LLM-based conversation system, answering questions, switching languages when prompted, and providing an engaging demonstration of how robotics and AI are increasingly intersecting with STEM fields.

The visit was coordinated by Careers Lead Karen Wray, whose support and enthusiasm ensured a well-organised and engaging day for all attending schools.

ACP extends its thanks to Beaconsfield High School for hosting the event and to the visiting schools for their participation. The strong interest and engagement shown throughout the day underscored ACP’s mission to connect students with the technologies and career opportunities shaping the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Below is a video filmed by Beaconsfield High School which shows a few highlights of the day: