Alyx scoops STEM Volunteer award

Jacobs Lead CS&A Engineer Alyx Murdock recently received a coveted accolade from the North West Institution of Civil Engineers. We caught up with her to find out more…

Can you explain why Jacobs uses ‘STEAM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts Maths) rather than ‘STEM’?

The addition of the Arts highlights a broader and more inclusive range of interests and topics, providing a greater opportunity for individuals to see themselves working in STEAM-related roles. I think the addition of the Arts is very important as careers within STEM subjects can also be very creative.

How long have you been involved in STEAM outreach?

Since graduating from University, I have been an active ambassador in this area, regularly working with and influencing young children in all types of STEAM learning over the past ten years.

What inspired you to create your own workshops????????

During my recent maternity leave, I identified a gap in the market and as a result, I developed a workshop for Early Years Foundation Stage children (EYFS, ages three to five) to introduce the role of a civil engineer in an age-appropriate manner. I linked civil engineering practices to the story of the Three Little Pigs to demonstrate how different materials act under the same load.

The majority of the workshop development was undertaken while I was on maternity leave, however, since my return to work, the support I have received from Jacobs to enable me to deliver this many times in our local area has been amazing. My line manager and our Social Value Manager, in particular, gave me so much encouragement and have supported my ideas and efforts throughout.

Finding time for volunteering can be difficult, especially because I have three young children of my own at home. However, Jacobs’ paid volunteering time and approach to flexible working means that I can fit my volunteering around my work and family commitments.

How many children have you engaged in STEAM?

In the last year alone, I have spent more than 50 hours volunteering and reached over 650 children.?Over my volunteering career spanning 10+ years, I have reached over 5,000 young people and worked with 74 organisations.

The workshops I deliver to EYFS children in schools are extremely well received and I have schools returning to make bookings for the new academic year.

Working with very young children, I wanted to ensure the workshop was pitched appropriately and aligned with the school curriculum. I initiated a meeting with school staff to discuss the “EYFS development matters” (guidance points produced by the government) and how I could successfully align my workshop to as many of these as possible. I strive for continuous improvement of the workshop, requesting and acting on feedback.

I have also created a topical STEAM workshop, which was chosen to be delivered at the COP 28 event in December 2023 in Dubai. I compiled a three-hour session about carbon for children aged 11-12, which included teaching and exercises, finishing off with a “mega challenge.” I also led training sessions via MS teams for the Dubai-based ambassadors who facilitated the workshop at the climate change summit.

How do you promote careers in STEAM?

I lead work experience sessions for local school children and attend open days in local colleges to discuss civil engineering apprenticeships and career options. This involves speaking with young people of all ages, teaching them about the role of the civil engineer and leading some engineering-based educational activities. I enjoy adapting my messaging to different groups and adjusting the way I explain the role of a civil engineer to be age-appropriate for the students present. The Jacobs Butterfly Effect program helps to further embed sustainability and STEAM into children’s learning.

What’s your most important message for young people?

I truly believe that representation is vital, and I’m a huge advocate for this. In a career that was once classed as male-dominated, I am proud to show the younger generation, especially young girls, that this is not the case today. This representation is particularly prevalent when I do my civil engineering workshop with EYFS. For the majority of these three-to-five-year-olds, it is the first time they learn about civil engineering and I am immensely proud that their first impression of a civil engineer is that of a young female. It’s important to ensure children have the opportunity to learn about these areas.

What is the next step for your STEAM outreach work??

Jacobs has compiled a collection of materials for STEAM workshops that our STEAM Ambassadors can deliver. I’ve created packs for my Three Little Pigs and carbon workshops, which contain resources and instructions, so that more people can deliver the sessions to schools in their local area.

How does it feel to be recognised with an Institution of Civil Engineers Award?

I am passionate about my STEAM work, and I think it is so important that we spark the interest of children within these subject areas from as young as possible. There are so many amazing STEAM Ambassadors out there, finding fun ways to bring STEAM learning into children's lives, so to be recognised for my own efforts by winning the ICE North West STEM Ambassador of the Year 2024 Award really does mean the world to me. I cannot thank Jacobs enough for supporting my volunteering and trusting in my ideas.

Find out more….

• Listen to Alyx’s radio interview on BBC Sounds (from 36.40 minutes)
• STEAM at Jacobs
• The Jacobs Butterfly Effect Program?
• The Collectively Program
• Women in Sustainability: Q&A with Rachael Cassidy | Jacobs
• Jacobs at COP 28