Tag: STEM

Kids staying safe online thanks to RAFCT partnership

RIAT Tech She Can

Young people across the UK are set to be given tips on how to stay safe online following an initiative delivered by Tech She Can in partnership with the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT).  

Children from schools across the country will be taking part in a live lesson on Safer Internet Day, which will help keep children safe online and includes expertise from Minecraft Education.

The session is delivered by qualified teachers and will see pupils explore how to stay safe when gaming and using AI, as well as learning more about careers in tech and online safety.

Last year saw more than 65,000 young people across the UK join the lessons, and this year is expected to be equally busy, with multiple sessions running across the day.  New for 2026 is a live assembly for KS1 children.

Dr Kevin P Stenson, Director at the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust said: “We are delighted to once again be partnering with Tech She Can on Safer Internet Day as a route to increasing the number and diversity of young people pursuing STEM subjects post 16+ and entering tech careers.

“Technology is a powerful tool to support learning and creativity, and we want to help young people to develop the digital literacy and critical thinking their future careers will require, whilst empowering them to do so safely and responsibly

“Children aged 8–14 spend almost three hours online every day on phones, tablets and computers and this increases as children get older*.

“Games console use is also another way that young people spend time online and that’s why we’re including gaming as part of the lesson this year.”

RAFCT is based in Gloucestershire and is powered by the world’s largest military airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) which is hosted at RAF Fairford.  

It aims to inspire young people from 5 to 25 to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology, and to promote the RAF. 

The reach afforded to RAFCT by RIAT puts it in a unique position to bring together the defence, aviation and technology sectors with charities and other organisations working to bring the world of STEM, aviation and space to life for young people.      

Becky Patel, Head of Education and Learning at Tech She Can said: “As technology becomes an everyday part of young people’s lives, it’s vital they feel confident and safe online.

“Our partnership with the RAF Charitable Trust allows us to reach thousands of children with engaging, teacher-led lessons that encourage responsible online behaviour, digital skills, and inspire all children, no matter background, to see a future for themselves in tech. “By combining expert-led teaching with real-world examples and inspiring career pathways, these live lessons empower children to use technology safely and responsibly, while showing them that a future in tech is both achievable and exciting.”

TechSheCan

Royal Air Force Charitable Trust reaches further education with latest partnership

A new partnership will see the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) support young people in further education with maths for the very first time.

The charity, which is based in Gloucestershire and is powered by the proceeds of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), has agreed a partnership with MEI and will reach tens of thousands of students across the UK with their Further Education Maths Challenge programme.

The national challenge is open any student in 16-19 education (or in the case of an EHCP, aged up to 25) who is yet to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics and after launching nationally in 2021, the programme has gone  on to involve 10 regional centres, over 80 colleges, and more than 40,000 students, with teams from across England and Wales participating. The competition culminates in regional finals held at colleges, universities and sports stadiums.

Following the success of RIAT in recent years, the event’s parent charity has been able to establish itself as a leading funder and convener for STEM in the UK.  The RAFCT aims to inspire young people to reach their full potential in STEM and this latest partnership is a welcome addition to the organisation’s work, explains Head of Charity Development at RAFCT, Hannah Langford

“The Further Education Maths Challenge is the first maths focused programme for the RAFCT, as well as being the first time the Charity has focused on the further education sector,” she said.

“Maths is an essential skill for everyday life, as well as for careers. The RAFCT is committed to helping young people build their confidence and develop the essential skills they need to unlock their full potential, and the FEMC offers a unique opportunity to open doors for 16-19 year olds and to help them to rediscover the joy in maths.”

The RAFCT has reached more than 780,000 young people with STEM educational engagements since 2022, including its flagship Road to RIAT programme which reaches more 600 primary schools, and other partnerships including its support for Safer Internet Day with Tech She Can.

A spokesperson for MEI said: “We are delighted to announce that the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) will be supporting the Further Education Maths Challenge (FEMC) for the first time this year.

“The FE Maths Challenge is a national competition designed to celebrate the achievements of post-16 students who are working to improve their mathematical skills.

“Through a series of engaging, team-based problem-solving rounds, the FEMC helps students develop mathematical confidence, resilience and collaboration skills, while showing how maths connects to the real world.

To learn more about the challenge, visit www.mei.org.uk.