A double-decker bus kitted out with classrooms rolled into Bolsover to encourage young people to study subjects such as science and engineering at university.

Once on board, learners from the town’s secondary school learnt about a range of topics including cybersecurity, construction and social anthropology. They even found out how to carry out ethical computer hacking.

The STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Maths) Bus is run by the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Collaborative Outreach Programme (DANCOP) – a partnership involving the two counties’ universities and colleges with higher education provision – and aimed at learners in years nine to 13.

DANCOP Project Manager Megan Hubbard said: “Figures show that young people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are less likely to enter higher education than in other areas of the country despite receiving similar GCSE results.

“We’re working with over 100 schools and other local organisations to provide activities which give inspiration, increase aspiration and support young people in years 9-13 to plan out their futures and to begin the journey to a great career.”

Joining the learners at The Bolsover School on Thursday 24 October were Head of Widening Access and co-Chair of the DANCOP Steering Group, Krisha Bainham, and the Chair of DANCOP Governance Board Professor Malcolm Todd, who is also Provost (Academic) of the University of Derby.

Professor Todd said: “There is a nationwide skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and maths, and we know that many businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire struggle to recruit workers with the required skill levels to meet their needs.

“We need to promote types of careers and opportunities which are open to people who graduate in these subjects. It is important that we take that information out to schools and to get children and parents thinking about higher education, finding out about the brilliant teaching and learning that goes on in our universities, and exploring where that could eventually lead.”

The STEM bus tour will continue across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire throughout October, November and December and it can be booked by schools by emailing [email protected]