Autumn 2015 Funded Projects

Autumn 2015 Funded Projects Control IT Engineering Education Scheme Wales Ltd Primary & Secondary School Activity This project will focus on developin...
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Autumn 2015 Funded Projects Control IT Engineering Education Scheme Wales Ltd Primary & Secondary School Activity This project will focus on developing coding skills in pupils aged 10-14, linked to understanding the importance of computer control in the engineering/manufacturing sectors. Groups of pupils will be shown how to program the Crumble micro-controller with an emphasis on making things work. The natural excitement of seeing things happen as a result of their own coding will be used to motivate pupils and to encourage them to take greater interest in this important branch of modern engineering. Wherever possible, the pupils will visit manufacturing companies to see how computer control is essential and fundamental to manufacturing processes. The equipment provided by the funding for this project will enable us to visit schools and carry out activities in classrooms, and also to invite groups of students to centres where they can be shown how to code to solve a range of control challenges. EESW will provide 50% of the staff time to carry out the project. In addition, the legacy will be as follows: • The activity will continue long after the completion date in this proposal, using the hardware obtained with this funding • Teachers having gained skills and knowledge that can be used to develop future students • The prospect of continued and extended links with industry • The development of methodology for future development and dissemination. Buildathon Challenge- Imagination Playground Techniquest Cardiff Primary School Activity Techniquest will develop a Buildathon Challenge using Imagination Playground. With the support of funding from the Engineering Education Grant Scheme, 15 schools from areas with high levels of multiple deprivation will enable 450 pupils to participate in the challenge and test their collaborative and problem solving skills to solve an engineering challenge. Pupils will have fun learning how engineering skills are essential to achieving success. Regional Engineering shows for 7-14yr olds science made simple ltd Cardiff Primary & Secondary School Activity This project will offer subsidised performances in 25 schools in five areas of the UK; Oxford (5) Bucks (5), Scotland (5), Yorkshire (5) and Lancashire (5). The regions have been selected due to the availability of local presenters and demand. We know in these areas we have long waiting lists for subsidised shows, combined with the opportunity to reach areas not currently well served by events for schools. The shows offered will be: ‘Izzy’s Incredible Adventure’ (Key Stage 1), ‘Who wants to be a superhero?’ (Key stage 2), ‘Cradle to Grave: Engineering 4 Life’ (Key stage 3 and 4) and a Rough Guide to Engineering (Key stage 3). ‘Who wants to be a superhero?’ features short videos of STEM ‘superhero’ role models and live interactive experiments to help students connect school science with a range of aspirational careers. ‘Cradle to Grave’ shows how engineers are making life easier for people throughout different stages of their lives. Secondary schools will be encouraged to host a show and invite in their local primary schools to maximise efficiency of the delivery. Each host school can have up to three performances in a day, reaching 300-500 students per day. The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England & Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SCO38698) The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is a registered charity in England and W ales number 206882

Developing Computing through D&T for Engineering at Key Stage 2 The Design and Technology Association Warwickshire Primary School Activity This proposal has been developed to pilot activity with primary schools in Coventry and Warwickshire, which will help them deliver the new KS2 National Curriculum Design and Technology (D&T) and Computing requirements. Whilst the pilot course is focused on disadvantaged students, it is also designed to work with all pupils irrespective of background and ability. The project focuses on the application of computer science in D&T in Years 3-6, including the programming and control of physical systems and the development of computational thinking. It will develop both teachers’ and pupils’ computer skills in utilizing programmable devices, together with electronic and electrical components, to provide them with a sound understanding of computer controlled devices. The project builds on recent work undertaken by the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Design and Technology Association and Computing at School, which has highlighted the huge potential to develop engineering systems/programming/coding and control activities in Key Stage 2, and to prepare pupils for more advanced work to follow at Key Stage 3. It will also complement CPD being developed by the IET, D&T Association and the National STEM Centre to support the introduction of the BBC micro:bit. iDiscover - introducing STEM careers in Camden primary schools Inspire! (New Hackney Education Business Partnership Ltd) London Primary School Activity Designed in response to the struggles schools face in teaching changing STEM curricula within a practical context, iDiscover is a unique week-long STEM programme for primary school pupils. The grant will enable us to launch the programme in Camden and progressively educate and inspire students from a diverse background about the breadth of opportunities in STEM careers, whilst improving their STEM related skills. Recognising the proportionally low representation of certain groups moving into STEM opportunities, the programme will target female and ethnic minority pupils at an age when they first become aware of gender and cultural stereotypes. The project will improve teachers' knowledge and skills by introducing STEM employers into the classroom, exposing students to inspiring role models who they can identify with. Over the week, each child will be introduced to at least five STEM jobs, meeting STEM professionals in the classroom and/or workplace. Year groups will follow STEM-related themes (including Robots & Machines, Coding and Future Jobs) which improve pupils’ STEM-related skills. Inspire! will: • Facilitate opportunities for students to meet and engage with STEM volunteers • Provide teacher briefings in schools • Provide materials, resources and support for all sessions • Deliver an inspiring assembly at the start of the week Apprentices & Teachers Working Together: Mazak and UWE Peer Mentors University of the West of England Bristol Primary School Activity Only 5% of primary school teachers have a science related degree. Although in-depth subject knowledge is not essential for effective pedagogy, research shows that low confidence and understanding can result in didactic, ‘cautious’ teaching which reduces pupils’ performance and enjoyment. We will pair pre-service primary school teachers (trainee teachers) from the University of the West of England's BA in Primary Education

with engineering apprentices from Yamazaki Mazak Ltd to prepare and jointly deliver engineering activities in primary school classrooms. This peer mentoring will develop the confidence of trainee teachers to deliver science and engineering-related material from the start of their careers. The apprentices will improve their communication skills and act as role models in the classroom in order for school students to identify apprenticeships and engineering as potential future career options. EU ENGINEER design challenges are the basis for the activity. These materials are freely available and provide proven engaging educational experiences for children, which this project will be able to link directly to the work of the apprentices. This will improve the children and teachers’ knowledge of engineering principles and possibilities. The finale will be a visit to Mazak for the children to present their projects and see engineering in action. Programing your Pi University of Wolverhampton Secondary School Activity The project is designed to develop and enhance the programming and technical skills of Key Stage 4 pupils working with Raspberry Pi computer boards and Python software technology. Raspberry Pi provides an entry level into programming hardware to move objects or perform tasks. Through a familiar interface, students learn about the Python programming language in an easy to use format. The project will include six introductory sessions that start with no prior knowledge of Raspberry Pi culminating with robot navigation in a planned direction and pattern. This will result in building a Lego vehicle powered by a Pi board. Our target is to initially involve 10 local schools with up to 30 students from each organisation (300) working across Key Stage 4. We will then prepare them for the skills needed for the new GCSE assessments, and to support and enhance the skills of the teaching staff in understanding the use of the Raspberry Pi boards and the capabilities that are possible for further development. The project is supported by engineers, apprentices and University students and staff. Designing Wind Farms- Engineering Choices Lancaster University Engineering Department Secondary School Activity Currently there is a significant lack of Engineering Graduates in the UK to meet the demand of employers. To fill the gap it is important to raise the profile of the opportunities that an Engineering Degree can offer to groups that are underrepresented in engineering. Currently female students are underrepresented on undergraduate engineering courses across the UK. Key reasons given for female students not pursuing study in Physics (a key facilitating subject for engineering) beyond GCSE is lack of enjoyment and confidence in their ability. In this project Lancaster University Engineering Department wishes to work with local schools and STEM organisations to develop an adaptable resource where students can design and test a wind farm. This will give them an insight into engineering choices and the supporting science. The resource will be used to help support STEM subject teaching, school STEM clubs and departmental outreach activities during the duration of the one year project and beyond. It will be developed by undergraduate engineers to be appropriate for use in schools and to be interesting to female students. Once developed, the resource will be tested in at least 4 workshop activities (including a female only event) within the first year of the project.

School Gate SET Kate Bellingham Ltd Hertfordshire Primary School Activity School Gate SET is an innovative new online community of part-time or career-break engineers and scientists volunteering to assist STEM teaching and learning in their child’s primary school during the working day. This funding will kick-start publicity and development to enlist and support parents who may have lost their connection with their profession but can be reached via their child’s school. Schools can be wary of asking parents to help with STEM, unsure what they can offer. Currently most STEM Ambassadors work full time, or have a commitment to provide support to many schools. School Gate SET will nurture parents (on the cusp of being lost to the profession) to become embedded STEM Ambassadors. In doing so, the parent develops skills and awareness of opportunities as a ‘returner’, meanwhile schools will benefit from having experienced and enthusiastic helpers. Why does this matter? 'When STEM’ (IMechE/RAEng 2010) emphasised the importance of engaging with primary school children. Anecdotal evidence from ‘Science Sisters’ and ‘Women’s Engineering Society’ suggests career-break women may lack confidence in their technical expertise. The Royal Academy of Engineering ‘Project RETURN’ works with Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) to explore how they can support those on career breaks. STEM Pods 1.1 & 2.0 Pontefract Academies Trust West Yorkshire Primary & Secondary School Activity Following the success of the STEM Pods project at the King's School Pontefract, we would like to widen the use of the project across Wakefield District schools and the development of the project across Pontefract Academies Trust schools. This will be achieved by: • • •

developing the existing STEM Pods into “STEM Pods 1.1” - to enable delivery by Primary Class Teachers, with the support of STEM ambassadors - with the support of WYSTEM; developing a further 4 STEM Pods “STEM Pods 2.0” to tackle wider STEM issues – including cross-curricular, engagement of girls with STEM, achievement of White British boys; supporting the preparation, delivery and support of all STEM Pods to be used in Primary and Secondary schools across Pontefract Academies / Education Trust Schools, and Wakefield District schools - with the support of Wakefield Learning Community.

Each Pod houses the resources required for delivery of a tailored 90 minute KS2 and KS3 activity to a group of up to 30 students. High quality resources are provided by subject specialists, and resources replenished between use of each Pod. The Pods are housed in a STEM base at the lead secondary school, to be transported to other schools or used on site. Thorpe St Andrew School Partnership Transition Days Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Forn Norfolk Primary & Secondary School Activity Inspiring the engineers of the future is at the core of our project. Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form aim to increase the uptake of Engineering and to address the gender balance of the subject area. The project will fall under our Transition programme, this allows students in Year 6 to meet staff and students of the high school prior to attending the school, during which they are introduced to subjects not looked at in depth at primary school.

This will be achieved by students designing an item using CAD and bringing their design to Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form to make the item using our equipment, such as the CNC Lathe and Laser Cutter. We will also encourage the students to manually make the item using hand tools and milling machines. The aim of engaging students at a young age will be to encourage understanding of the diversity of the field and to inspire them to study engineering both at school and beyond. The initial objective is to increase the intake of BTEC Level 2 in Engineering and to introduce Level 3 in the future. The final objective is to improve the gender balance in Engineering. King's School Super-Speedy Car Competition The King's School Canterbury Secondary School Activity This is a great opportunity for around 200 y9-13 pupils from Kent to get inspiring experience of a real engineering project. They will design and build fan powered cars capable of reaching speeds of over 60mph, and then race them at a race day hosted by the King's School, Canterbury. The cars use a basic kit of a fan, battery and motor control system and adhere to a common set of rules. Mentored by engineers, the pupils will work in teams exploring design concepts, using CAD and the schools' DT facilities to make the cars. Each basic kit costs £100 and can be re-used in subsequent years. We find pupils often want to return and try again the following year. On race day, the fastest car wins the "Rolls-Royce Trophy" (a polished "Trent" turbine engine blade donated by Rolls-Royce) and Jon Tickle of Sky TV's Braniac presents the awards after a short engineering careers talk. Over the past five years we have drawn in more schools but we've found that a lack of funds to buy the basic kit is a barrier, particularly for the more disadvantaged state schools. With this grant we are seeking to overcome this barrier and significantly increase participation, working with STEMNET to encourage schools currently disengaged from STEM activities to take part. With the excitement and interest in the world debut of the Bloodhound SSC, this year offers a unique opportunity to increase participation that we must not miss! Chain Reaction Young Enterprise Oxfordshire Secondary School Activity 'Chain Reaction' will feature a series of exciting educational challenges, activities and discussions designed to help young people develop personal skills for innovation, enterprise and employability, using the STEM sector as inspiration and information. The programme will inform and challenge student perceptions of what the engineering industry is and raise awareness of existing opportunities. It will help to develop 8 key employability skills of: communication; confidence; financial capability; initiative; organization; problem solving; resilience; and teamwork - within an engineering context. During the programme the students will engage with ideas and challenges, and develop solutions using a 'real life' scenario from the engineering sector. Sessions are brought to life by business people from the engineering sector who will lead and help mentor the young people during the day. They will also have the opportunity to share their personal career development experiences first-hand, in both formal and informal settings. The activity will take place off school site in an inspirational and ‘engineering enterprise’ focused environment.

Inspiring Primary Engineers Individual application by Claire Jeavons (in partnership with Woodseats Primary School) South Yorkshire Primary School Activity Engineers are in high demand in the UK, yet our children regularly dismiss engineering as a career. Primary School children in Y2 to Y6 hold the key; having been less influenced by gender, ethnicity, social advantage or ability, are more open to inspiration. Inspiring Primary Engineers brings engineering role models into each year group to describe their role and industry, and to set them a real engineering problem to solve. An engineer coaches the teachers and works in partnership to embed STEM learning into the curriculum in a way which enables the children to develop the skills to address each problem in a variety of different ways. Teachers from local school networks are invited to attend coaching sessions and share the resources. Student STEM ambassadors form crossfunctional teams across year groups, develop vital transferable skills, and bring their learning back to the classroom. The activity culminates with an engineering fair where a prize cup will be awarded by the engineering role model to the class which has demonstrated the best solution. Year on year the children at Woodseats school and across the primary network will develop skills to solve new problems and teachers will improve STEM teaching skills. As a result, engineering will become a career that is accessible and desirable to many more children. Towards Gravitational Wave Detection II Light Guide Systems Ltd. Cardiff Primary School, Secondary School & Further Education Activity The search for gravitational waves has become one of the biggest scientific challenges of the 21st century, but despite efforts to build high-precision detectors, the waves are yet to be found. When massive rotating bodies collide they produce ripples that travel through the Universe, known as gravitational waves. By the time the waves reach us they are very tiny and difficult to detect. Gravitational waves are expected to carry information about events as early as the Big Bang, and finding these waves could help scientists to prove or disprove theories that we use today. Despite the importance of the search, the gravitational waves community remains small, and public knowledge is limited. The theory of gravitational waves is usually only touched upon at degree-level, meaning that many miss out on the opportunity to learn and contribute to research. 'Towards Gravitational Wave Detection' aims to bring the concept of gravitational waves and their detectors into the classroom from an early age, to inspire young people to learn about the weird and wonderful world of science and engineering. Students will engage with this concept through a combination of taught lessons and interaction with scale-model detectors designed by Light Guide Systems. Phase II of the project will see the production of multiple detectors for use by partner organisations. LAB IN A BOX (Liαβ) KENT AND MEDWAY Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Kent Secondary School Activity Lab in a Box (Liαβ) is a scheme that brings engineering science equipment into the classroom that for many schools is not possible, due to absolute cost or simply not being cost effective against increasing pressure on teaching budgets. The Liαβ appoints a host school which loans equipment, at nil cost, to other schools for two-week periods. Liαβ has been very successful in the East of the County (Thanet) and evaluations show the equipment leads to enhanced STEM lessons. Tunbridge Wells is a two hour drive to the nearest stock, making Liαβ less accessible to the schools in the West of the County. We therefore would like to expand Liαβ and have a set that contains

thermal cameras and DynaKars for use by ten secondary and primary schools in this region. Target schools include those currently disengaged from STEM, under-represented students, BME students and female students. Kits will assist with themes of the grand challenges of sustainability, future cities, and engineering across scales. These are in turn applicable to health, education, energy, and resilience which would be discussed in the project's workshops and case studies by regional IMechE and IET members, and other STEM ambassadors. Space Debate Kit Gallomanor Communications Wiltshire Secondary School Activity SHOULD HUMANS GO TO MARS? This is a question full of engineering, medical, and social issues all intertwined. Teachers find it easier to teach the facts and figures in science and math than to explore the debate that comes with it. Our Space Debate Kit, the 11th in our series of kits, will provide everything teachers need to get their students discussing the issues behind sending humans to Mars. Previous kits can be found here. It will follow a try and tested format, based on character cards and lesson notes. It will include 8 debate cards outlining the opinions of different fictional characters with an interest in human space flight, and teacher notes to help carry the lesson effectively. The debate will help students think through the issues and reconsider their opinions, while they learn how to build a discussion and back up their opinions with facts. This kit will be funded by a consortium of organisations (including the IET, IMechE, UK Space Agency, the Physiological Society and Virgin Galactica) reflecting the diverse skills and issues that space flight involves. ENGxTEC a Creative KidsLAB PopUp BeScience Leicestershire Primary School, Secondary School, Further Education & Outreach Activity ENGxTEC is a Creative KidsLAB Pop-up, part of a series of events filled with a variety of high-tech activities that young people can interact with in venues that would not normally feature STEM activities, such as banks and shopping centres. The project reaches people who do not normally participate in STEM and incorporates technology and engineering alongside the science activities we currently deliver. ENGxTEC lets young people: • explore the use of infrared cameras and how infrared is used in everyday objects such as remote controls; • investigate different types of printing (e.g. 3D printing) through short films about products created by our valued partners at De Montfort University - 3Doodler pens let the public create their own 3D sculptures; • test solar panels and renewable energy with mini car races and electric racing car demonstrations. Activities are based on socially important technologies encountered in everyday life. All are popular with young people as they are creative and not generally available in schools. Many will see the equipment as being ‘cool’, and experiments are designed to inspire further research at home. Schools and outreach organisations will be actively encouraged to borrow funded resources for their own activities that encourage social positivity.