Taking Flight: TECgirls First Work Experience Week

Ten incredible girls from across Cornwall recently took part in the very first TECgirls Aviation & Aerospace Work Experience Week - and what a week it was! Packed with designing, making and creating.

From designing satellites to working on a real Spitfire, these girls didn’t just learn about aviation and aerospace, they lived it. Along the way, they reminded us exactly why initiatives like this are so important for the future of engineering, aviation, and space innovation.

Day 1: Work Experience Lift-Off at Spaceport Cornwall

We kicked off the week with a warm welcome from Fritha Durham and TECgirls founder Caitlin, followed by talks from inspiring women and men working across Cornwall’s aviation and aerospace sectors, including the Royal Navy, Spaceport Cornwall, and Cornwall Airport Newquay.

The girls asked thoughtful, insightful questions about STEM careers, setting the tone for the rest of the week. They also got hands-on with a Tower Building Challenge and the Micro:bit Moon Rover Challenge, building and programming rovers to transport “space cargo” (aka sweets!). Learning is always better with chocolate, right?!

The day ended with a tour of Spaceport Cornwall’s cutting-edge facilities, showing just how much innovation is taking off right here in the South West.

Day 2: Satellites, Sustainability, and Big Ideas

The second day took us deeper into the world of satellites and space technology. Guided by the brilliant Fritha Durham, the girls explored how satellites work, what they’re used for, and how innovation is helping to make space more sustainable.

They collaborated with Spaceport Cornwall’s own work experience students to design and prototype their own satellite inventions. The teams sketched, researched, built, and pitched their ideas like true engineers.

We were also joined by Mark from Avanti Communications, who shared how satellites connect even the most remote communities on Earth. His talk opened up a world of possibilities, proving that STEM careers can take you just about anywhere.

To top it off, the group visited Piran Technology Group, discovering even more inspiring engineers and innovators shaping Cornwall’s high-tech future.

Days 3, 4 & 5: Getting Practical at Parnall

The second half of the week brought a shift in focus, from space to sky, as we headed to The Hive at Trelonk Estate, home of the brilliant Parnall Aircraft Company.

Here, the girls swapped laptops for lathes and sketches for spanners, stepping into the world of real engineering and aircraft fabrication. Under the expert guidance of Tim, Bradley, David, and Paul, they gained hands-on experience with the same tools, materials, and precision that go into building and restoring aircraft today.

To make sure everyone experienced every part of the process, the girls were divided into three squadrons, rotating through carefully planned activities that linked directly to real aerospace practices. Each session mirrored what professionals actually do in the field, helping the girls understand not just how aircraft are made, but why each step matters.

Squadron 1: The Spitfire

With Managing Director Tim leading the session, the girls explored the theory of flight, diving into the physics behind lift, drag, thrust, and weight before applying that knowledge to a real restoration project.

They learned about the history of the Spitfire and how this iconic aircraft became a symbol of British innovation. The girls were particularly inspired to discover the vital role that women played during World War II, building Spitfire components in factories across the UK with extraordinary precision and skill.

After exploring the aircraft’s design and engineering principles, the girls got hands-on, following the same meticulous processes used in aviation workshops. They checked measurements, stamped tools in and out, and attached real aircraft parts under expert supervision. It was a rare and unforgettable opportunity to step into the shoes of aerospace engineers and technicians.

Squadron 2: The Makers

Meanwhile, under the guidance of Bradley and Paul, the second squadron got to grips with fabrication and precision engineering, crafting their very own miniature Spitfire models from start to finish.

Using real tools and machinery, the girls cut, shaped, and riveted metal, learning first-hand about the accuracy and patience required in aircraft construction. They even had the chance to use a lathe to machine stands for their models, gaining an appreciation for how every part  contributes to the strength and structure of an aircraft.

Each girl proudly took home a beautifully crafted model to share with friends and family.

Squadron 3: The Metalwork

The third squadron joined David for a deep dive into metalwork using the English wheel, a traditional tool still used today in aviation manufacturing. Here, the girls learned how to shape and stretch metal, turning flat sheets into perfectly curved forms just like those used on aircraft fuselages and wings.

Applying the precision and techniques engineers use when creating curved aircraft panels, each participant carefully designed and hand-formed their own metal bowl. The task combined creativity and technical skill, showing that engineering isn’t just about numbers and machines, it's also about artistry, patience, and design thinking.

By the final day, the girls had built models, shaped metal, restored real aircraft components, and gained a true appreciation for the craft and precision that aviation demands. They unlocked a new confidence in their skills and their ability to thrive in environments that might once have seemed intimidating.

At the closing ceremony, each participant received a certificate and digital badge, recognising their achievements throughout the week.

Witnessing the passion and talent of these future engineers, aviators, and aerospace professionals, we’re confident that the future is in safe hands.

Work experience might sound like a small thing, a single week in a long school year, but it can be life-changing. For many of these girls, this was their first time stepping into a hangar, holding a rivet gun, or pitching a satellite concept. It’s moments like these that plant the seeds of future careers in aerospace, robotics, data science, and beyond.

A huge thank you to Spaceport Cornwall, Parnall Aircraft Company, Controlled Extracts, Piran Technology Group, Avanti Communications, and everyone who helped make this week unforgettable.

To the ten young women who took part - you were brilliant.

And of course to Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom and UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Reach for The Sky Challenge Fund for making it possible.