Boeing-supported Newton Room Opens in North Somerset

• Three-week residency for aviation-themed STEM hub opens in the South West
• Weston College will host Newton Room installation

Weston-super-Mare, UNITED KINGDOM, 10 June 2024 – North Somerset has become home to a new Mobile Newton Room located at Weston College, one of the UK’s top Further Education colleges.

The mobile classroom with three table-top flight simulators will be used to teach students STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts with a specific aviation theme. 

The facility will provide a unique experience for visiting students and teachers providing them with the opportunity to explore, use high-quality equipment, collaborate, discuss, and have fun with STEM subjects.

The Boeing-supported Mobile Newton Room is engineered by the non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia, which will see Weston College offer a career relevant “Up in the Air with Numbers” Newton-module. Three-hour flight specific lessons run by teachers and flight instructors will target 18 students per session for a 12+ age group and will help to inspire and build STEM-related careers within the UK’s important South West aerospace hub.

Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, officially opened the Mobile Newton Room, joined by representatives from local government, Boeing apprentices, students from the college, and local education and community groups. 

The concept, which originated in Norway, sees North Somerset as the latest in a network of Boeing-sponsored Newton Rooms across Europe. The UK’s first Newton Flight Academy was opened in Scotland at Glasgow Science Centre in 2022 followed by Newton South Yorkshire which opened in Rotherham in January 2024.

“We are proud of our UK-based Newton collaborations to date and recognize the importance of like-minded partners such as Weston College and FIRST Scandinavia in nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators,” said Maria Laine, president of Boeing in the UK, Ireland and Nordic region. “Boeing is currently exploring the provision of apprenticeship courses with Weston College, and this Newton Room will ignite the start of an important partnership between our two organisations to support our future talent pipeline.”

The Mobile Newton Room builds on Boeing’s long-standing presence in the UK’s South West region and the recently opened Boeing Bristol facility, home to Boeing Defence UK and a workforce of over 700 employees.

Alex Warner, Deputy Principal, Curriculum of the Weston College, said “We are thrilled to host the Mobile Newton Room at Weston College and as the lead college of the West of England Institute of Technology, this initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing innovative and engaging STEM education. By collaborating with Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia, we are not only enriching our students' learning experiences but also contributing to the development of future talent in the aerospace industry. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this unique educational opportunity will have on our students and the wider community.”

Per-Arild Konradsen, CEO and founder of FIRST Scandinavia, added “Boeing and Weston College are excellent partners for bringing the Newton Concept to Weston-super-Mare. We feel honoured to work with institutions that share our values and passion for inspiring and preparing young students with quality STEM education. With the Mobile Newton Room experience, we hope to give a great STEM learning experience with our concept to teachers and students visiting.”

The Mobile Newton Room will be open between June 10 to June 28.  For schools wishing to book please follow this LINK.

About Boeing in the United Kingdom

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. The company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing has a UK workforce of over 4,000 people, including early careers, veterans and reserves across the country and has spent more than £12bn with the UK supply chain since 2015. For more information, visit www.boeing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @BoeingUK.

About Weston College

Weston College, located in Weston-super-Mare, is a leading Further Education institution in the United Kingdom. Recognised for its outstanding teaching and learning, the college offers a wide range of courses including A Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education programmes. Committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment, Weston College prides itself on its state-of-the-art facilities, industry partnerships, and dedicated staff who ensure that students are well-prepared for their future careers. With a strong focus on innovation and employability, Weston College continues to be a key player in transforming lives and supporting the local community's educational and economic growth. For more information, visit www.weston.ac.uk.

About First Scandinavia and Newton

The Newton Concept is developed and administered by the Norwegian non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia in collaboration with teachers, academic institutions, and corporations. A Newton Room is a well-equipped, inspiring STEM classroom focusing on high-quality education. The purpose is to provide as many children as possible with good experience and mastery of STEM subjects. The education is varied and focuses on practical activities. The concept has been introduced internationally through the partnership with Boeing, and 49 Newton Rooms have been established in 17 countries, including Norway, Turkey, and France.