Hoogerheide, November 9, 2021 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has today inaugurated an experiential classroom dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) at the Aircraft Maintenance & Training School (AM&TS) at Aviolanda Aerospace. Boeing Netherlands has funded this facility, known as a Newton Room, in collaboration with the non-profit organization FIRST Scandinavia.
A Newton Room is a STEM classroom with a focus on high quality education designed to inspire young people.
The mobile Newton Room will be in position at the AM&TS for three weeks (from November 8 to 26) and will attended by more than 300 vmbo-students from secondary schools in the region of West-Brabant. The students will learn mathematical concepts in an aviation setting.
The opening ceremony was attended by Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia leaders, local authorities and by the Royal Netherlands Air Force Kol. Ellen Meeuwsen-Scholten, Commander of Woensdrecht Airbase.
“We are delighted to bring this educational resource to the students of West-Brabant and the Newton concept once again to the Netherlands. This is a great collaboration with AM&TS and First Scandinavia. Boeing wants to inspire the Dutch aviators of tomorrow to engage in STEM subjects.” said Sebastian Tijl, Government Affairs, Boeing Netherlands.
“Boeing and AM&TS are excellent partners to work with for bringing the Newton concept to the Netherlands. We feel honored 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 create interest in establishing a permanent Newton Room in the Netherlands”, says Stian Elstad, Managing Director of FIRST Scandinavia.
The Newton concept is developed and administered by the non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia in collaboration with teachers, academic institutions, and corporations. The education is varied and focuses on practical activities. Over 40 permanent Newton Rooms have been implemented across Europe, each hosting around 3,000 students per year and per module.
Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia have partnered since 2013. In June 2018, FIRST Scandinavia was chosen as Boeing’s official European STEM partner with an investment of 4.3€ million. The Newton concept has been installed in nine European countries through mobile solutions and permanent venues.