Students on Course for a Career in Biochemical Engineering Thanks to the Smallpeice Trust
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, August 01, 2014 --(PR.com)-- From 14th to 17th July, thirty-four budding engineers attended a four-day Biochemical Engineering course at University College London (UCL). The course provided 15 and 16 year old students with the opportunity to learn about novel biological therapeutics theories and the importance of biochemical engineering in transforming these life-saving medicines into drugs that are commercially available.
Students attended a series of lectures, masterclasses and practical activities covering a range of related topics including the manufacturing of AIDS therapies, regenerative medicine, the design of bioreactors, and the process design for manufacturing therapeutic products. They had hands-on experience in a practical activity in the lab and visited state of art laboratories in UCL Biochemical Engineering Department. It was eye-opening for the students to see how the robotic arm on the automation platform carries out small scale experiments on cell culture and protein purification, how to fabricate microfluidics version of bioreactors and etc. Not only did students gain an in-depth insight into the fascinating world of biochemical engineering, they also gained a first-hand experience of university life, while developing and improving their communication, presentation and team-building skills.
Social activities included a film night, a cruise on the Thames and a barbeque and disco which enabled students to discuss their projects and discover more about careers within biochemical engineering.
“It is fantastic to show these enthusiastic young learners how biochemical engineering enhances the quality of our lives. They were totally engaged in the activities working with their team and displayed a real passion for meeting challenges and solving problems. The UK has a pressing need for outstanding scientists and engineers, and The Smallpeice Trust courses are an excellent way of showing our most capable young people the attractions of a fascinating scientific career. The students had a good time in UCL to find out how engineering principles can be used to solve challenging biochemical engineering problems. I hope these students now have a feeling for what it’s like to live, work and study at a top ten university. I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the students,” said Yuhong Zhou, course organiser in Biochemical Engineering at UCL.
Claire Fisher, spokesperson for The Smallpeice Trust added: “We are delighted that UCL have partnered with us to run this fantastic course for the third year running. The course has proved very popular with students and successfully demonstrated the importance of biochemical engineering while offering them a valuable insight into what a career in this worthwhile sector would entail.”
The Biochemical Engineering course is organised by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 12 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 17,495 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2015 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.
Over the past year, The Smallpeice Trust has engaged with 17,495 young people through 35 different subsidised residential courses, in-school STEM Days and starting up STEM Clubs. More emphasis has been put on programmes physically delivered by The Smallpeice Trust. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 1,280 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.
Students attended a series of lectures, masterclasses and practical activities covering a range of related topics including the manufacturing of AIDS therapies, regenerative medicine, the design of bioreactors, and the process design for manufacturing therapeutic products. They had hands-on experience in a practical activity in the lab and visited state of art laboratories in UCL Biochemical Engineering Department. It was eye-opening for the students to see how the robotic arm on the automation platform carries out small scale experiments on cell culture and protein purification, how to fabricate microfluidics version of bioreactors and etc. Not only did students gain an in-depth insight into the fascinating world of biochemical engineering, they also gained a first-hand experience of university life, while developing and improving their communication, presentation and team-building skills.
Social activities included a film night, a cruise on the Thames and a barbeque and disco which enabled students to discuss their projects and discover more about careers within biochemical engineering.
“It is fantastic to show these enthusiastic young learners how biochemical engineering enhances the quality of our lives. They were totally engaged in the activities working with their team and displayed a real passion for meeting challenges and solving problems. The UK has a pressing need for outstanding scientists and engineers, and The Smallpeice Trust courses are an excellent way of showing our most capable young people the attractions of a fascinating scientific career. The students had a good time in UCL to find out how engineering principles can be used to solve challenging biochemical engineering problems. I hope these students now have a feeling for what it’s like to live, work and study at a top ten university. I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the students,” said Yuhong Zhou, course organiser in Biochemical Engineering at UCL.
Claire Fisher, spokesperson for The Smallpeice Trust added: “We are delighted that UCL have partnered with us to run this fantastic course for the third year running. The course has proved very popular with students and successfully demonstrated the importance of biochemical engineering while offering them a valuable insight into what a career in this worthwhile sector would entail.”
The Biochemical Engineering course is organised by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 12 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 17,495 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2015 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.
Over the past year, The Smallpeice Trust has engaged with 17,495 young people through 35 different subsidised residential courses, in-school STEM Days and starting up STEM Clubs. More emphasis has been put on programmes physically delivered by The Smallpeice Trust. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 1,280 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
Claire Fisher
+44(0)1926 333203
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Claire Fisher
+44(0)1926 333203
www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Contact
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