Swapping classroom lessons for insights into engineering
Schoolchildren have been tackling engineering design challenges at the University of Southampton. The initiative was a pilot outreach collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, Educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and architects Snug Projects Ltd, aimed at introducing 13-14 year olds with an interest in design to practical engineering projects in a university setting.
Across the week, 250 pupils from ten schools spent a day at the University finding out more about engineering in the real world in the Future Cities Challenge. Success in the design workshops can mean a free place on a three-day engineering residential in March.
Fourteen teenagers from nearby Cantell Maths and Computing College in Southampton had a go at building a working wind turbine from scratch. Their task was to design and construct a machine which could generate electricity, come up with accurate costings and devise a marketing campaign. Megan Hubbard from the Smallpeice Trust led the wind turbine contest, following a short talk on green energy and sustainable technologies; Engineering Teaching Fellow Paul Bulkeley led on a parallel bridge building activity.
Ian Tyas, Head of Design and Technology at Cantell says the Year 9 pupils from the school’s Able, Gifted and Talented programme had a great time. “It was a very different environment for them but they are very competitive and rose to the challenge. We like to introduce them to new opportunities.”
Nayaab Hussain who was a member of the winning team says she wants to go to university and train to be an engineer when she leaves school. “My Dad’s very good at repairing things around the house and I like to help him,” she explains. “I enjoyed taking part in the contest and I’m glad we won.”
University Public Engagement tutor Dr Steve Dorney says, “The activities were designed to interest and inspire the young people with the range of engineering careers out there. Following up these day workshops with a longer programme later in the year will give the students a realistic understanding of engineers and engineering career options.”
Megan Hubbard, Education Officer for the Smallpeice Trust commented, “We are delighted to be working with the University of Southampton on this exciting new project. The STEM days we deliver such as this one provide an invaluable insight into engineering in the real world. They promote core skills including creative thinking, problem solving and team building, which will benefit students while still at school and in their future. It is always encouraging to see just how much students get from taking part in these kinds of activity and we hope as a result they will be inspired to consider engineering as a viable career.”