In total 720 students from 3rd and 4th grade secondary and 1st year of high school in 20 institutes will participate in the «Classroom Newton Cartuja» project until March 11, an initiative that will take place In the navigation pavilionlocated in The scientific and technological park (PCT Cartuja), In SevilleUnder the responsibility of the University, the Ministry of Research and Innovation in the Andalusian Government, together with Boeing’s first Scandinavia and multinational foundation and the collaboration of the Ministry of Educational Development and Vocational Training and PCT Cartuja. This Free activity offers Training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through practical dynamics so that students have access to equipment that allows them to explore, discuss, reflect, and collaborate on STEM topics.
The Councilor for University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, inaugurated this project with the Vice President of Global Technology at Boeing Research & Technology, José Enrique Román, CEO of First Scandinavia, Per-Arild Konradsen, and the General Manager of PCT Cartuja, Luis Pérez. Additionally, 18 students from the fourth grade of Murillo de Sevilla attended. This, managed by the Public Asset Management Company (EPGASA), occupies 70 square meters in the Navigation Pavilion and Contains three flight simulators and a small workshop. Visits will be organized with groups of 36 students, so that while 18 enter the classroom to participate in «Flying with Numbers: an aerial adventure,» the remaining students will visit the navigation pavilion.
During his speech, Gómez Villamandos emphasized the opportunity offered by this proposal to «immerse ourselves in a real experience, an air rescue mission where our students will have to discuss, reflect, and make decisions, making their own calculations, so that this operation is successful,» with the aim of getting them familiar with flight exercises, applying the methodology of the «Newton room,» which will allow them to Learn to tackle issues in a practical case. He also stressed that now more than ever «we need initiatives like these to be visible and encourage the study of careers that offer an excellent opportunity for our youth, due to the rise of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, and digital transformation.»
In this sense, he stated that numerous reports have warned that it is in these fields where the professions with the highest global demand are concentrated. «The United Nations (UN) estimates that By 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEMThat is, three out of four jobs will be directly related to these disciplines,» said the councilor, who highlighted the importance in Andalusia of The aerospace sectorAs a strategic area with a turnover of over 2.7 billion euros and approximately 14,500 jobs, as well as the defense, security, aeronautical, and space sectors, which together employ more than 25,000 workers, according to a recent report published by the Association of Technology Companies for Defense, Security, Aeronautics, and Space (TEDAE).
Therefore, Gómez Villamandos expressed his conviction to continue promoting from the Ministry Initiatives to awaken scientific vocations and develop research, innovation, and technology skills. In this regard, he recalled the celebration on February 11 of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day on which we remember, on the one hand, the important role played by women and girls in scientific and technological communities and, on the other hand, that their participation must increase to eliminate the gender gap that exists in science,» he concluded.
«It is a real source of pride to inaugurate a mobile Newton classroom in Seville,» said José Enrique Román, Vice President of Global Technology at Boeing Research & Technology. «After launching this initiative in Galicia and Aragon, this new stage reaffirms Boeing’s strong commitment to Spain and the promotion of STEM education. This project will allow students in the region to directly engage in the exciting disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We believe that by offering these practical experiences, we not only inspire young minds but also invest in a brighter future for the aerospace industry and beyond.»
In turn, CEO of First Scandinavia, Konradsen, expressed his satisfaction in bringing the «Newton classroom» to Spain for the third time, a country that played a «key» role in expanding the «Newton concept,» in addition to continuing this with Boeing and the Andalusian Government. He also added that with the «Newton classroom» installed at PCT Cartuja, local students will have the opportunity to engage in practical and high-quality STEM learning, an education that «remains a global challenge,» as he emphasized the commitment of this initiative to «provide research-based learning experiences, inspire students, and offer the skills they need for the future.»
The General Director of PCT Cartuja, Luis Pérez, emphasized that the «new Cartuja project» is so attractive that Institute participation requests were exhausted in just a few weeks. In a place where companies, technology, science, and university come together and, as a public company, we have the obligation to stimulate the connection between all.
«Newton Concept»
The «Newton concept» was launched in 2003 by First Scandinavia and has since provided Training reinforcement in STEM materials to over 430,000 children and young people worldwide. The project considers an overarching goal to challenge practical education for schools. Therefore, the «Newton classrooms» are based on their educational model in research and knowledge, ensuring that the student receives a dynamic learning experience rooted in the industrial reality they will enter.
Through this initiative, the intention is to provide fair access to high-quality STEM education by local partners, such as Cartuja PCT in the Andalusian case, which contributed to the preparation, organization, and programming of flight training instructors, flight instructors, intertwined with those responsible for teaching at the centers to plan and book student attendance or logistical support for the installation and protection of the «Newton Cartuja» classroom.
The «Newton classroom» began traveling around the world in 2018 with the support of Boeing, as an action to strengthen the goal of its creators. From that moment until 2023, 16 events took place in 13 countries. In those five years, 15,000 students were trained in Poland, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, England, Turkey, Scotland, China, and Denmark. In Spain, these traveling classrooms visited Lugo and Zaragoza (Walqa Technology Park). Technopole, Galicia Technology Park, located in Ourense, also has a permanent «Newton» classroom.