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

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, August 14, 2013 --(PR.com)-- From 29th July to 1st August, forty aspiring young engineers enjoyed a unique learning experience at Plymouth University. The group of 15 to 17 year old students spent four days discovering what is 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 trip to the local bowling alley and a formal dinner at the National Marine Aquarium where they had the opportunity to showcase their work to some key people within the industry.

Upon completion of the course, students were also awarded with one year’s junior membership to The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA).

Gemma Murphy of The Smallpeice Trust commented, “Thanks to our continuing partnership with Babcock, it has been wonderful to be able to provide young people with such a unique and worthwhile experience. Over the 4 days, they gained a greater understanding and awareness of what is entailed when designing and constructing 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 4 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 educational 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.

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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 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.