From 23rd – 26th October, Kira Morton and Meera Sivakumaran, from Year 9, both took part in a unique real-life learning experience at Reed’s School in Surrey.

This four-day residential course, sponsored by The Ogden Trust and The ERA Foundation, gave fifty students a valuable insight into the field of physics in engineering. Student took part in design-and-make projects, run by First Group plc and the National Nuclear Lab, and learnt about areas such as nuclear engineering, electromechanical systems and space science. Presentations from the National Nuclear Lab, the University of Surrey and Bloodhound SSC, provided students with information about possible career paths.

The different projects undertaken were designing and building a train with an engine capable of carrying a small load, looking at the physics which enable space crafts to get into space, and investigating how radio-active elements are used to make nuclear power. Social activities included a film night, sports night and formal course dinner and disco where students had the opportunity to showcase their work to key individuals from industry.

The main objective of the course was to inspire and encourage students to consider a career in engineering. The content had both practical and theoretical elements. Innovative thinking, presentation skills and planning were an integral part of the course – key skills that students don’t often get a chance to explore fully at school.

    

    

We are very proud to update you all on the success of some of our Year 9 students working with the Smallpeice Trust. From 2nd – 5th April, Jess Randall benefitted from a unique learning experience at the University of Wolverhampton. Sponsored by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and delivered by the Smallpeice Trust, the four-day residential course explored the world of engineering construction through a series of exciting, hands on workshops and demonstrations. Jess was mentored by real-life engineering construction professionals and guided through every stage of project development, from initial design ideas to final testing. She also attended valuable career talks from Siemens and EDF Energy. The first project was led by graduates from Babcock and entailed constructing a caisson, a watertight structure that can be used for repairing ships. The second was led by the Trust and students had to design and build an offshore wind turbine. Jess was confronted by real-life issues including the need to work to a budget while ensuring that the project was commercially viable.

    

From 10th – 13th April, Alina Merchant-Mohamed and Simran Sehdev attended a unique hands‑on learning experience at the University of Exeter. This residential four-day course gave Alina and Simran a valuable insight into artificial intelligence. During the course, they learnt about the different aspects of intelligence including talking robots, known as ‘chatbots’. They worked in small teams to develop their own computer program that they then tested for intelligence, discovering the methods machines of the future use to learn about their environments and make decisions for themselves.

Dr Zena Wood of Exeter University said, ‘It has been fantastic to welcome such an enthusiastic group of students to Exeter. We are at the forefront of the fast-developing field of artificial intelligence and our research and teaching is focused on applying the latest developments in computer science to really important fields, such as aviation and medicine.’

   

On the same dates, Anna Okusi, Nikita Patel, Amisha Raval and Emily Tanner attended the BAE Engineering Experience at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire. This course is sponsored by BAE Systems to engage Year 9 students and provide them with the opportunity to learn about engineering through a series of presentations and practical hands-on workshops They spent two days of the course tackling ‘real life’ challenges on projects designed and facilitated by young role model engineers from various divisions of BAE Systems. Projects included designing and building armoured vehicles, army transport helicopters, military aircraft carriers, mine sweeper robots and model submarines.

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. Students learnt from careers talks, which gave them some inspiration about a career in the engineering industry.

The school would like to thank The Smallpeice Trust for its consistent support of our Engineering specialism and each of our students involved in these highly prestigious projects.

Accompanied by Mrs Garner and staff from Sherwood Park School, students were enthusiastic to learn about what makes some chemicals dangerous while others are not harmful.

Using equipment to undertake a range of tasks, Mrs Garner led the student group through a series of simple experiments which they enjoyed.

They also visited the Technology Department where each student, with the help of Mr Howard, made a clock based on the 2012 Olympics. On each of the four days, staff and students enjoyed lunch in the canteen. We are always delighted to welcome Sherwood Park School and this year has been a particularly successful one for opportunities to continue working in partnership with them.