b'Partner News Summer 2020 33CorporateInspiring children with STEM stories: Portys Whizzing RecoveryBabcock InternationalsI wanted to engage and encourageonce I made people understand the vision children into STEM and change localI had for the book; it was excellent. Devonport Dockyardperceptions, said Katherine. Portys provides through-life supportWhizzing Recovery follows the story ofHowever, bringing the book to life was not Porty, based on HMS Portland, and herwithout its challenges. Katherines journey, for some of Britains biggestroad to recovery after a mechanical failing.much like Portys, wasnt smooth sailing. The production process actually took ships. Katherine Terris,The inspiration for creating the storylonger than I thought. I set up a competition was clear: I joined Babcock as awith the Plymouth College of Art for the Senior Support Engineergraduate in 2017 and completed 18illustrations in the book. April Howards at Devonport, wanted tomonths of graduate rotations in Plymouthdrawings of Porty and her friends perfectly where I was very involved as a STEMcaptured the inclusive and diverse nature showcase the importantambassador, but I noticed that theKatherine wanted the book to have. passion and pride for engineering inside work being carried out onthe dockyard wasnt captured outside.They collaborated for eight months a daily basis in the form of ato bring the story to life - and the It was then that Katherine approachedfeedback has been brilliant ever since. childrens story. the Head of Engineering at Babcock andThe feedback has been really good; proposed her idea for a childrens book,Babcock have been so positive and based on the work that took place in thepeople in the Dockyard with kids love it. dockyard. Babcock were really supportive,Initially I was nervous to let people know in and they helped make it a reality. I feltcase they laughed but everyone liked it and really encouraged and supported andhave asked for copies. I think its really good'