STEM honour for Thales employee
A Cheadle Heath employee has been honoured with a major external award for his contribution to the cause of inspiring young people about the world of science and engineering.
Tony Harrison – a chief software architect in the maritime business – was named ‘Stem Ambassador’ of the year award by STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) for his ‘dedicated and inspirational’ work at a ceremony at the House of Lords.
As a category winner, Tony will now be offered an amazing trip in January to the headquarters of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, in Switzerland which operates the world's largest particle physics laboratory.
STEMNET works with thousands of schools, colleges and STEM employers to enable young people of all backgrounds and abilities to meet inspiring role models, understand real world applications of STEM subjects and experience hands-on STEM activities that motivate, inspire and bring learning and career opportunities to life.
Tony has been volunteering his time with STEM for a number of years and has engaged with both primary and secondary pupils from around 200 schools in the North-West, holding workshops and presentations to help bring science alive for children. He has particularly focused on computing skills in support of the new curriculum.
He says: “Obviously, I was very pleased to win, but the award also reflects on the support and contribution of STEMNET in the north-west.
I’ve always said I’m happy to volunteer because I want to help make sure there are plenty of young scientists and engineers coming through the system.”
Tony currently works on future solutions for maritime combat systems but has also worked in the Thales nuclear sector in his earlier career, as well as playing a key software role in the development of Sonar 2087, one of our most successful shipborne anti-submarine warfare sensors.
He adds: “I’ve loved my career so far, it’s always been challenging and I have particularly enjoyed being involved in large and complex projects. That’s what I say to classrooms – you can carry around this technology in your pocket, but you can also make a personal contribution to the development of technology.
"Science, maths and engineering can be inspiring; we need to do all we can to make children realise it’s open to them in what it can do for their future."
“That’s always been my motivation – to see the look on someone’s face that STEM is interesting and that they can play their part in its future if they should wish to.”
Tony was awarded ‘Most Dedicated STEM Ambassador’ in light of his inspirational and amazing contribution to the STEM Ambassador Programme. Tony has supported teachers with the new computing curriculum and mentored junior engineers within Thales, giving them the confidence to go into schools too." Kirsten Bodley, STEMNET Chief Executive
Kirsten adds: "Winners have been offered the opportunity to visit the world’s largest science experiment, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN thanks to The Science and Technology Facilities Council which supported the annual STEMNET awards again this year.”
(Photo:STEMNET)