Students Steer Towards Careers in Engineering with the Smallpeice Trust
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, August 10, 2013 --(PR.com)-- From 24th to 26th July, fifty promising young engineers from Coventry and Warwickshire enjoyed a unique hands-on learning experience at Coventry University. Sponsored by the 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and Coventry University and organised by educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, the residential course provided students with an opportunity to learn about automotive engineering through a series of presentations and practical hands-on workshops.
Over the three days, the 13 and 14 year old students completed "real-life" design-and-make challenges in their teams, which were facilitated by young role model engineers from two leading automotive companies, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover. The projects included an "off-road vehicle challenge" based on the Land Rover 4 x 4 and the chance to come up with the concept of a new generation Aston Martin DB9. Once the cars had been designed and built, the 4 x 4’s were subjected to a number of tests, as they negotiated a track which had features such as inclines, side slopes and a river crossing, while the other designs took part in a high speed drag race.
As well as working on the design, build and test elements of these projects, they developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, time management, finance and presentation. The students were also given an insight into the dynamic career opportunities available at BMW and other leading companies.
The social programme included a film night and an end-of-course celebratory barbeque.
Gemma Murphy, Head of Marketing and Development for The Smallpeice Trust commented, “Thanks to generous sponsorship, we are delighted to be able to offer students a valuable insight into this fast-changing industry. Coventry University is known for its excellent teaching in mechanical and automotive engineering and has been the ideal venue to host the course. It is through practical engineering activities like these that young people will be encouraged to enter the profession and be equipped to meet the social, environmental and economic challenges of the future.”
Jonathan Ikin, CAE Project Engineer from Aston Martin, has said, “The Smallpiece Trust has set up a fantastic event in a dynamic and exciting environment. It has been an invaluable experience for young people to learn what is involved in taking their own ideas from concept through to production. The event, encapsulating all areas encountered in real life engineering, provided a challenging but enjoyable few days. I hope that both the engineering and life skills gained over the past few days will help propel these young people into a future in such a stimulating and innovative industry. It has been a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic and like-minded people at this event and we wish them all the best for the years to come.”
James Ackers, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer from Jaguar Land Rover added, "It has been a really fulfilling experience by getting involved with this project. The Smallpiece Trust has really put on an inspirational event where the students have flourished in an engineering environment by designing, manufacturing and testing their off-road vehicles while also managing their finances and corporate responsibilities. This has given the students an insight into the real challenges we face in the automotive industry and I hope have inspired them towards a career within the industry through this enjoyable and rewarding project.”
The Automotive Engineering course is organised by 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 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.
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 12 to 18.
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.
Over the three days, the 13 and 14 year old students completed "real-life" design-and-make challenges in their teams, which were facilitated by young role model engineers from two leading automotive companies, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover. The projects included an "off-road vehicle challenge" based on the Land Rover 4 x 4 and the chance to come up with the concept of a new generation Aston Martin DB9. Once the cars had been designed and built, the 4 x 4’s were subjected to a number of tests, as they negotiated a track which had features such as inclines, side slopes and a river crossing, while the other designs took part in a high speed drag race.
As well as working on the design, build and test elements of these projects, they developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, time management, finance and presentation. The students were also given an insight into the dynamic career opportunities available at BMW and other leading companies.
The social programme included a film night and an end-of-course celebratory barbeque.
Gemma Murphy, Head of Marketing and Development for The Smallpeice Trust commented, “Thanks to generous sponsorship, we are delighted to be able to offer students a valuable insight into this fast-changing industry. Coventry University is known for its excellent teaching in mechanical and automotive engineering and has been the ideal venue to host the course. It is through practical engineering activities like these that young people will be encouraged to enter the profession and be equipped to meet the social, environmental and economic challenges of the future.”
Jonathan Ikin, CAE Project Engineer from Aston Martin, has said, “The Smallpiece Trust has set up a fantastic event in a dynamic and exciting environment. It has been an invaluable experience for young people to learn what is involved in taking their own ideas from concept through to production. The event, encapsulating all areas encountered in real life engineering, provided a challenging but enjoyable few days. I hope that both the engineering and life skills gained over the past few days will help propel these young people into a future in such a stimulating and innovative industry. It has been a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic and like-minded people at this event and we wish them all the best for the years to come.”
James Ackers, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer from Jaguar Land Rover added, "It has been a really fulfilling experience by getting involved with this project. The Smallpiece Trust has really put on an inspirational event where the students have flourished in an engineering environment by designing, manufacturing and testing their off-road vehicles while also managing their finances and corporate responsibilities. This has given the students an insight into the real challenges we face in the automotive industry and I hope have inspired them towards a career within the industry through this enjoyable and rewarding project.”
The Automotive Engineering course is organised by 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 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.
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 12 to 18.
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
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
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