Students Propelled Towards a Career in Engineering with the Smallpeice Trust
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, March 09, 2013 --(PR.com)-- 350 students from schools across Staffordshire have recently been busy testing their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) during a High-Flyers’ Finale competition set by educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation.
The 13 to 14 year old students gained real-life experience working in small groups, designing and making a wind turbine which generated as much energy as possible, with a further requirement that the tower had to be free-standing and structurally robust to support heavy components and moving parts. The STEM Day was designed to enhance their understanding of engineering and low carbon technology with the winning teams being judged on the power generated as well as the aesthetics, cost and teamwork demonstrated.
Twenty of the students that demonstrated a particular interest or aptitude during the STEM Day were then selected to participate in a Smallpeice STEM Club. This Club challenged students to design and make a propelled glider that could travel the furthest in the air.
35 students then showcased their gliders at the competition finale at Keele University on 28th February 2013. After a display of their work, each team was given the opportunity to fly their gliders and points were awarded on design, aesthetics and distance travelled. Students were also provided with the unique opportunity to view the university’s brand new sustainability hub and star dome. Congratulations to Terrace Technology College, Burntwood who scored the highest marks and were awarded a trophy for their hard work.
Dr Andrew Cave, Chief Executive of The Smallpeice Trust commented: “We would like to thank the Garfield Weston Foundation for sponsoring these educationally enriching events. Improving the current skills base in the UK presents a major challenge for us when it comes to meeting our low carbon targets and achieving our goal of becoming a leader in renewable energy. It is always very encouraging to see just how much students get from taking part and I hope that the day will have inspired them to consider science, technology, engineering or mathematics as a worthwhile option for their future careers.”
The STEM Days are run by the independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust as part of an ongoing programme of courses designed to help young people learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. For further information visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.
The schools that took part in the competition include:
Kingsbury Secondary School
Haywood Engineering College
Endon High School
Chase Terrace Technology College
Tamworth Enterprise College
Rawlett School
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports
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 the past year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses and in-school STEM Days. 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.
The 13 to 14 year old students gained real-life experience working in small groups, designing and making a wind turbine which generated as much energy as possible, with a further requirement that the tower had to be free-standing and structurally robust to support heavy components and moving parts. The STEM Day was designed to enhance their understanding of engineering and low carbon technology with the winning teams being judged on the power generated as well as the aesthetics, cost and teamwork demonstrated.
Twenty of the students that demonstrated a particular interest or aptitude during the STEM Day were then selected to participate in a Smallpeice STEM Club. This Club challenged students to design and make a propelled glider that could travel the furthest in the air.
35 students then showcased their gliders at the competition finale at Keele University on 28th February 2013. After a display of their work, each team was given the opportunity to fly their gliders and points were awarded on design, aesthetics and distance travelled. Students were also provided with the unique opportunity to view the university’s brand new sustainability hub and star dome. Congratulations to Terrace Technology College, Burntwood who scored the highest marks and were awarded a trophy for their hard work.
Dr Andrew Cave, Chief Executive of The Smallpeice Trust commented: “We would like to thank the Garfield Weston Foundation for sponsoring these educationally enriching events. Improving the current skills base in the UK presents a major challenge for us when it comes to meeting our low carbon targets and achieving our goal of becoming a leader in renewable energy. It is always very encouraging to see just how much students get from taking part and I hope that the day will have inspired them to consider science, technology, engineering or mathematics as a worthwhile option for their future careers.”
The STEM Days are run by the independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust as part of an ongoing programme of courses designed to help young people learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. For further information visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.
The schools that took part in the competition include:
Kingsbury Secondary School
Haywood Engineering College
Endon High School
Chase Terrace Technology College
Tamworth Enterprise College
Rawlett School
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports
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 the past year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses and in-school STEM Days. 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
or contact:
Claire Fisher
Tel: 01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
or contact:
Claire Fisher
Tel: 01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk
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