Students Set Sail for a Career in Naval Architecture with the Smallpeice Trust

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, August 07, 2011 --(PR.com)-- From 25th to 28th July, forty-one aspiring young engineers enjoyed a unique learning experience at the University of Plymouth. The group of 15 to 17 year old students spent four days discovering what’s involved in the creation and maintenance of many different types of ships including aircraft carriers, yachts, submarines and commercial ships.

Sponsored by Babcock, students designed and built their own Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) – a device frequently used by naval architects in the construction and inspection of offshore structures – and then raced around a specially constructed underwater obstacle course. As part of the course, students discovered the principles of hydrodynamics and different methods of propulsion. They also visited Devonport Royal Dockyard and the National Marine Aquarium to take part in a team building activity.

Throughout the four days students developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and time management. They also had the opportunity to find out about relevant career opportunities and training routes in Naval Architecture. Social activities included a film evening, a boat trip and a formal dinner where they had the opportunity to showcase their work to some key people within the industry.

Gemma Murphy of The Smallpeice Trust commented, “It is a delight to work again with Babcock, to provide young people with such a unique and worthwhile experience. Over the 4 days, these students were able to develop their understanding of the design and construction of all types of vessels. The standard of the work from students on this course was remarkable and all of the students showed a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to the subject. We are extremely pleased with how the course went and feel this course has gone along way in demonstrating to students just how exciting and dynamic a career within this field could be.”

Rosemary Prout, of Babcock Marine, added, “This is a great opportunity for these young students to work with some of our Babcock Graduates and gain an understanding of what Naval Architecture is all about and the types of opportunities which might be opened up to them should they choose to pursue a career in this field. Feedback from students over the past 3 years since we have been running this course has shown that they have enjoyed the experience enormously.”

The Naval Architecture 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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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.

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