Educational Charity The Smallpeice Trust Steers Students Towards a Career in Engineering
Students from across the UK attended a residential motorsports engineering course at Oxford Brookes University run by the Smallpeice Trust and gained a practical insight into the engineering principles, materials and technologies that shape the cutting edge of world professional motorsport.
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 10, 2011 --(PR.com)-- From 4th to 7th July, thirty-five promising young engineers from across the UK benefited from a unique hands-on learning experience at Oxford Brookes University. This popular four-day residential programme was organised by The Smallpeice Trust in partnership with Oxford Brookes University.
Working alongside engineers, students gained a practical insight into the engineering principles, materials and technologies that shape the cutting edge of world professional motorsport. The 14 and 15 year olds took part in theoretical, practical and hands-on workshops which helped them to develop a better understanding of engine performance, traction, chassis dynamics and aerodynamics. Students also took part in Computer Aided Design (CAD) sessions to prototype manufacture and test race car components.
An industrial visit to Prodrive gave students the opportunity to see for themselves what goes on behind the scenes at a major motorsports technology business. The social aspect of the course included a quiz night, film evening and a chance to get behind the wheel at go-karting.
Spokesperson from The Smallpeice Trust Hayley Threadgold, commented, “This course is always extremely popular amongst student. It is very encouraging to see just how much young people enjoy the course and how much they learn and develop throughout the four days. We are confident that courses like this will encourage more and more young people to choose a career in engineering.”
Oxford Brookes University is internationally renowned for Motorsport Engineering education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The course takes place at the University’s Motorsport Engineering Centre which provides state-of-the-art teaching, research and testing facilities.
Keith Newman, spokesperson for the University adds, “The motorsport industry demands the rapid solution of engineering problems; requiring both technical expertise and team-working. This subject matter is therefore ideally suited to provide an insight into the challenges and rewards of a career in engineering. We have been impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the young people whist taking advantage of this opportunity.”
The Motorsports Engineering course is run 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 17,677 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2012 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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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. In 2009/10, The Smallpeice Trust ran 30 residential courses for 1,700 school-aged students at universities across the country, with girls accounting for 38%. In addition, 15,977 students attended a Smallpeice in-school STEM masterclass.
For more information, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Working alongside engineers, students gained a practical insight into the engineering principles, materials and technologies that shape the cutting edge of world professional motorsport. The 14 and 15 year olds took part in theoretical, practical and hands-on workshops which helped them to develop a better understanding of engine performance, traction, chassis dynamics and aerodynamics. Students also took part in Computer Aided Design (CAD) sessions to prototype manufacture and test race car components.
An industrial visit to Prodrive gave students the opportunity to see for themselves what goes on behind the scenes at a major motorsports technology business. The social aspect of the course included a quiz night, film evening and a chance to get behind the wheel at go-karting.
Spokesperson from The Smallpeice Trust Hayley Threadgold, commented, “This course is always extremely popular amongst student. It is very encouraging to see just how much young people enjoy the course and how much they learn and develop throughout the four days. We are confident that courses like this will encourage more and more young people to choose a career in engineering.”
Oxford Brookes University is internationally renowned for Motorsport Engineering education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The course takes place at the University’s Motorsport Engineering Centre which provides state-of-the-art teaching, research and testing facilities.
Keith Newman, spokesperson for the University adds, “The motorsport industry demands the rapid solution of engineering problems; requiring both technical expertise and team-working. This subject matter is therefore ideally suited to provide an insight into the challenges and rewards of a career in engineering. We have been impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the young people whist taking advantage of this opportunity.”
The Motorsports Engineering course is run 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 17,677 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2012 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. In 2009/10, The Smallpeice Trust ran 30 residential courses for 1,700 school-aged students at universities across the country, with girls accounting for 38%. In addition, 15,977 students attended a Smallpeice in-school STEM masterclass.
For more information, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
The Smallpeice Trust:
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
+44(0)1926 333203
clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
+44(0)1926 333203
clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
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