Students Gear Up for a Career in Motorsports Engineering
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 14, 2013 --(PR.com)-- From 1st to 4th 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 trip to the local bowling alley, a film night and a chance to get behind the wheel at go-karting.
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. Dr Matt Clarke from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, commented, “Motorsport provides a very visible example of high-tech engineering in which the UK is a world leader, and provides an excellent opportunity to encourage talented young people to opt for a career in engineering. I was extremely impressed with the level of knowledge, enthusiasm and energy displayed by the students throughout the course”.
Spokesperson from The Smallpeice Trust Claire Fisher adds, “Every year this course proves extremely popular amongst students and it is encouraging to see how much they develop their knowledge of this fast-paced subject in just four days. We are confident that through experiences like these we can help to encourage more and more young people to choose a dynamic career in engineering.”
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 20,353 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2014 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 12 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 academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses, 1-day in-school STEM Days and STEM-in-a-Box kits. 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.
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 trip to the local bowling alley, a film night and a chance to get behind the wheel at go-karting.
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. Dr Matt Clarke from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, commented, “Motorsport provides a very visible example of high-tech engineering in which the UK is a world leader, and provides an excellent opportunity to encourage talented young people to opt for a career in engineering. I was extremely impressed with the level of knowledge, enthusiasm and energy displayed by the students throughout the course”.
Spokesperson from The Smallpeice Trust Claire Fisher adds, “Every year this course proves extremely popular amongst students and it is encouraging to see how much they develop their knowledge of this fast-paced subject in just four days. We are confident that through experiences like these we can help to encourage more and more young people to choose a dynamic career in engineering.”
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 20,353 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2014 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 12 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 academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses, 1-day in-school STEM Days and STEM-in-a-Box kits. 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
Gemma Murphy
+44(0)1926 333214
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
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