Students Get Ahead in Engineering

From 26^th to 28^th April, five Year 9 students at Mosslands School, attended a specially designed Engineering Experience residential course, which took place at the University of Liverpool. This free course forms part of a major initiative funded by the Department for Education, called Get Ahead with STEM! In partnership with STEMNET and the WISE Campaign, The Smallpeice Trust ran the course to encourage students to consider engineering as a possible career in the future.  

Over the three days, the hundred 13 and 14 year olds had the opportunity to learn about engineering through a series of presentations and practical exercises. Working in teams, they tackled ‘real-life’ challenges on projects designed and facilitated by young engineers from industry. These organisations included BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, the Royal Navy and Urenco. Projects included designing and building a car, a remotely operated vehicle, a warship and a centrifuge. As well as working on the design, build and test elements of the projects, they developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, time management, finance and presentation. 

Kevin O’Neill, Senior Education Officer for the Get Ahead With STEM! project commented, “This course provides students with a valuable insight into the world of engineering whilst seeing for themselves what university life is like. The Get Ahead with STEM! programme seeks to encourage students from all backgrounds, to think about where their engineering skills can take them in the future and just how much they can achieve.” 

Pupils received their Bronze CREST Awards in school from Mr Rodaway. 

Founded by Dr Cosby Smallpeice in 1966, the Trust has grown tremendously over the past 45 years, helping thousands of young people find a successful career in a multitude of disciplineswithin the industry from engineering materials, marine technology and naval architecture to mobile communications, nuclear enginering, railway engineering and structural engineering. 

For further information about The Smallpeice Trust visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk

' The experience was fantastic, and I would recommend Smallpeice Trust residentials to other students'    James Lucking

'I really enjoyed the experience of working with engineers from industry. It was an excellent trip, and something I will remember for life.'      Ben Kirby