Inspiring the next generation: NDT outreach at Drayton Park Primary School
18/07/2025
As part of BINDT’s ongoing outreach programme, Rebecca Mulholland, Outreach Coordinator, recently had the pleasure of visiting Drayton Park School in Bletchley during its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) week to deliver a day of STEM engagement centred on non-destructive testing (NDT). Perfectly located near the Red Bull Racing headquarters, Rebecca was also fortunate to be joined by Daryl Shearman, NDT Team Leader at Red Bull Racing.
The day kicked off with a whole-school assembly, where pupils aged 4-11 years old were introduced to the fascinating world of NDT. Rebecca and Daryl explained what NDT is, why it matters and how it helps ensure safety and reliability. It was a chance to demystify the subject and show how engineering is not just about building things, but also about making sure they continue to work safely over time.
The real excitement began when Rebecca and Daryl joined the two Year 6 classes for a hands-on workshop designed to spark curiosity and plant the seeds for future careers in NDT. Daryl brought an exciting industry perspective to the day, sharing his personal journey into engineering and how he applies NDT techniques to ensure the structural integrity of Formula 1 car components. His talk highlighted the real-world importance of inspection and safety, particularly in high-performance environments such as motorsport.
One of the day’s standout moments was Daryl’s live demonstration of ultrasonic testing (UT), using real equipment and test-pieces. The students were fascinated by the ability to ‘see inside’ materials without cutting them open, an eye-opening experience that brought science and technology to life in a tangible, relatable way.
Reflecting on the day, Daryl said: “It was a brilliant experience to be involved with as we look to the future with the next generation of NDT engineers. Some incredibly switched-on children were there and hopefully one day we will get to see at least one of them working with us at Red Bull Racing.”
Throughout the session, students explored basic NDT methods, discussed the types of problem inspectors look for and participated in a series of fun activities to reinforce the core concepts. The enthusiasm and engagement from the students were truly inspiring. They asked insightful questions, made thoughtful observations and showed a genuine interest in how engineering affects the world around them.
Mr J Thompson, teacher at Drayton Park Primary School, captured the energy of the day perfectly: “Thanks again to Rebecca and Daryl for coming to deliver a fantastic workshop for Year 6 and a brilliant school assembly too. Some of the kids said: ‘It was brilliant! We got to hold pieces of an F1 car and hear about how NDT works!’ and ‘I loved it, it was really cool to see the different things and jobs you can do with STEM’.”
Feedback such as this is a powerful reminder of the impact these experiences can have. By bringing STEM into the classroom in a practical and interactive way, we not only raise awareness of critical fields such as NDT, but also open young minds to career paths they may never have considered.
If you or your organisation would like to get involved in BINDT’s outreach work, we would love to hear from you. Whether it is delivering a school session, providing demonstration equipment or sharing your industry experience, there has never been a better time to support the future of STEM and inspire the engineers and inspectors of tomorrow. If you would like to get involved, please reach out to BINDT’s Outreach Coordinator at: rebecca.mulholland@bindt.org
