Aspiring Students Dig Out Mining Careers with The Smallpeice Trust

From 16th to 19th July, 30 aspiring young engineers from across the UK enjoyed a unique learning experience at the University of Exeter’s Tremough Campus, near Penryn. The group of 15 to 17 year olds spent four days at the University’s Camborne School of Mines (CSM), learning about mining and minerals through a jam-packed timetable of educational and fun activities.

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 27, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The four-day residential programme was specifically designed to help engineering and design and technology students reach a higher attainment target of the National Curriculum. The programme was designed through a partnership between The Smallpeice Trust and the University of Exeter.

The course provided pupils with the opportunity to learn how the fortunes of mining underpin so much of modern life and how the latest technology is used to limit the impact of mining activity on the environment. Students discovered more about minerals and their properties and what will happen when natural resources are depleted. The course also included spending the day at CSM’s own test mine, visits to local quarries, and a trip to the Eden Project’s educational centre.

Throughout the four days students developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and time management. They also had the opportunity to find out about relevant engineering degrees, training routes including world travel and exploration, all of which will help them make their future career choices. Social activities included a film evening and a formal dinner where students and supervisors had the opportunity to socialise and share their experiences of the week.

Spokesperson for The Smallpeice Trust, Lucy Kelly commented, “In partnership with Camborne School of Mines, we were able to offer students a valuable insight into this fascinating sector. Students were able to explore the subject and the vast opportunities that are available to them, while being encouraged to consider a career in this exciting, global and economically important field.”

Dr Patrick Foster of the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines said: “As one of the world’s leading mining schools with an international reputation for first-class teaching and research, we have a responsibility to share our mining and minerals expertise with young people. CSM graduates are in high demand and are extremely well-placed to enjoy an exciting and lucrative career with the opportunity to work all over the world. This event was a great way of making young people aware of the opportunities that a degree in mining engineering or geology could provide. It has been fantastic to work with The Smallpeice Trust to share our enthusiasm for this exciting and important science with such an engaged bunch of students.”

The Mining and Minerals course is run by the independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, as part of an ongoing programme of subsidised residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 18,175 students across the UK in the past year.

The new course timetable for 2013 will be launched in the Autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.

Notes to editors:

About The Smallpeice Trust:

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.

The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”

The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.

Camborne School of Mines:

Camborne School of Mines (CSM) was founded in 1888 and became part of the University of Exeter in 1993. CSM has an international reputation for research and teaching related to the understanding and management of the Earth's natural processes, resources and the environment. Its portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree programmes provide an excellent basis for careers, in the UK or overseas, within the Earth resources, civil engineering, environmental and energy sectors.

The vast majority of CSM graduates are employed in areas related to their degree. CSM is based at the £100 million Tremough Campus, which the University of Exeter shares with University College Falmouth as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative. The Campus is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.
Contact
The Smallpeice Trust:
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
Tel: 01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
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