Mobile Newton Room Opens in North Somerset

North Somerset has become home to a new Mobile Newton Room located at our South West Skills Campus.

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 and unforgettable 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.

“I am very proud of our UK-based Newton collaborations to date and want to emphasise 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.