Students on Course for a Career in Biochemical Engineering with the Smallpeice Trust

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 27, 2013 --(PR.com)-- From 15th to 18th July, 26 budding engineers attended a four-day Biochemical Engineering course at University College London (UCL). The course provided 15 and 16 year old students with the opportunity to learn about novel biological therapeutics theories and the importance of biochemical engineering in transforming these life-saving medicines into drugs that are commercially available.

Students attended a series of lectures, masterclasses and practical activities covering a range of related topics including the manufacturing of AIDS therapies, regenerative medicine, the design of bioreactors, and the process design for manufacturing therapeutic products. Not only did students gain an in-depth insight into the fascinating world of biochemical engineering, they also gained a first-hand experience of university life, while developing and improving their communication, presentation and team-building skills.

Social activities included a sports night, a film night and a formal course dinner and disco which enabled students to discuss their projects and discover more about careers within biochemical engineering.

Yuhong Zhou, course organiser in Biochemical Engineering at UCL said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the students. It is fantastic to show these enthusiastic young learners how biochemical engineering enhances the quality of our lives. They were totally engaged in the activities working with their team and displayed a real passion for meeting challenges and solving problems. The UK has a pressing need for outstanding scientists and engineers, and The Smallpeice Trust courses are an excellent way of showing our most capable young people the attractions of a facinating scientific career. I hope these students now have a feeling for what it’s like to live, work and study at a top ten university.”

Gemma Murphy, Head of Marketing and Development at The Smallpeice Trust commented: “We are delighted that UCL have partnered with us to run this fantastic course for the second year running. The course has proved very popular with students and successfully demonstrated the importance of biochemical engineering while offering them a valuable insight into what a career in this worthwhile sector would entail.”

The Biochemical Engineering course is organised by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of 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 20,353 students across the UK in the past year.

The new course timetable for 2014 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.

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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 12 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.

In the past academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses, 1-day in-school STEM Days and STEM-in-a-Box kits. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 913 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom.

A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses.
Contact
The Smallpeice Trust:
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
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