Science students tour awe-inspiring Royal Navy warship

12 March 2020

The College's Head of Science, Karlee Lees, explains what the students got up to:

Students from subjects across the Birkenhead Sixth Form College Science department were welcomed on-board the HMS Prince of Wales last week to learn all about the role that the aircraft carrier has in the Royal Navy and how science, technology, engineering and maths play a part in operations aboard the ship.

The HMS Prince of Wales is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK and has a flight deck that is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches. Students were invited on-board during the ship’s visit to Liverpool and enjoyed a tour from serving men and women of the Royal Navy.

The aircraft carrier’s massive size was awe-inspiring; being aboard the ship and having to negotiate the long and near-vertical ladders around the ship allowed students to appreciate just how big it actually is. Our students were able to see the engineering and technology required to keep the ship running and also got the chance to sit inside a Chinook helicopter. They also visited the hangar where they saw different information stands to learn about careers in the Royal Navy and how studying STEM subjects will help in their future career paths.

For more on studying Science subject at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.