The competition asks pupils aged 3-19 “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” and is free to every school and home educated group in the UK. The initiative encourages pupils to identify problems in the world around them and come up with creative solutions, embedding within them that innovative problem-solving is a key part of being an engineer.

The real impact of the competition comes from Primary Engineer linking schools with engineering professionals to provide meaningful engineer engagement, first-hand introduction to the world of engineering and supporting schools with getting started on the competition.

The engineer engagement opportunities are varied and flexible. Ryan, Director of Engineering at Howden, took part in a pre-recorded online video, a 10-15 minute video talking about his job and what he loves about the world of engineering. The video was sent out to all the schools in Scotland who had signed up to the competition and to date has been viewed by over 2,010 pupils.

”Watched the pre-recorded videos of an engineer very useful but also enjoyed the page with lots of engineers and their journeys/inspiration was very useful for high school students to relate to”. The Featherstone Academy

Plus Howden invited pupils in from local schools to have a guided tour around their site and to interview engineers from different sectors.

Howden’s ‘Bright Futures’ community volunteering programme was launched to aligned with their social commitments to champion diversity, fairness and equality of opportunity. Since the implementation of the ‘Bright Futures’ program in 2021, Howden has successfully connected with primary and secondary schools, community groups and organisations across Scotland. With a particular focus on supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged people within communities, they have hosted workshops both on and off-site to encourage young people to explore Engineering and STEM subjects. Howden’s team of volunteers seek to inspire the future generations of Engineers and Scientists, to break down barriers and stigmas in the industry and to encourage everyone to learn something new and have fun. The Primary Engineer partnership will help Howden achieve their environmental and social strategy which promotes diversity of a global workforce and positive community impact.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Primary Engineer for another year and to once again support the inspiring Leaders Award Competition. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and creative solutions from the next generation of young engineers!” Howden

Information on how to participate in this year’s competition is available to all schools and teachers via the website: www.leadersaward.com.

The post Howden and Primary Engineer are back for 2024/2025! first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Through this collaboration, we’ll equip teachers with the tools and resources they need to confidently deliver engaging STEM lessons. Our engineers will also join students in the classroom, offering hands-on experiences to inspire the engineers of tomorrow.

What is the Primary Engineer Rail Programme?

The Primary Engineer Rail Programme is a STEM initiative that blends creativity and practical skills. Guided by professional engineers who bring real-world context to the classroom, students engage in project-based learning where they design, build, and test model rail vehicles.

This hands-on learning makes engineering fun, builds technical skills, and raises awareness of engineering careers, helping to close the UK’s engineering skills gap.

Why Belvoir Rail are partnering with Primary Engineer?

Primary Engineer offers more than just STEM education, they promote diversity in engineering. We want students from all backgrounds to see themselves as future engineers, breaking down stereotypes and showing that engineering is a field open to everyone.

Belvoir Rail are passionate about encouraging interest in STEM subjects and supporting the next generation of engineers. Their Communications Manager, Sonja Greschner, shares why this programme means so much to them:

“Early exposure to engineering can truly ignite a spark in young minds. By giving students the chance to roll up their sleeves and dive into STEM, we hope to spark a passion that could lead to a lifelong career in engineering. This isn’t just about building skills, it’s about building confidence and opening doors, showing students that anyone can be an engineer”

Belvoir Rail were especially inspired to participate in this programme after exhibiting at this year’s Rail Live event, where we were joined by students from the 2023/2024 Primary Engineer cohort. Seeing the pupils engage with real-world rail engineering showed them just how much enrichment activities like this can add.

The Impact of Primary Engineer

Primary Engineer has already made a huge difference, with over 117,000 pupils participating in the 2023-2024 academic year alone. We’re proud to join forces and help more students experience the excitement of engineering.

Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 which aims to engage both primary and secondary school pupils and teachers with the vast and inspirational world of engineering and technology. They work with businesses and industry across the UK to help develop a future, diverse generation of engineering and technology professionals.

By partnering with Primary Engineer, Belvoir Rail are committed to creating valuable opportunities for students to explore STEM subjects and see the real-world impact of what they learn in the classroom. We’re inspiring a new generation of diverse, skilled, and passionate young engineers, showing students just how bright their future in engineering can be.

And who knows? The next groundbreaking rail innovation could very well come from one of the young minds we’re inspiring today.

We are looking to grow the programme even more in 2024/2025, and if you want to partner with us you can learn more here: https://www.primaryengineer.com/funding-opportunities/

The post Belvoir Rail Partners with Primary Engineer to Inspire Future Engineers first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The programme is delivered to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children across the UK through Primary Engineer, a not-for-profit organisation whose vision is to ensure all children and pupils achieve their full potential through engagement with engineering.

During the training session, teachers met the Porterbrook engineers professionals who will support them throughout the year as their pupils learn to build their own model trains.

This will be third year Porterbrook has funded the Primary Engineer Rail Programme for schools local to its Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre.

Over the last two years, 1500 pupils in the areas surrounding the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre have taken part in the programme. This year, students at ten primary schools will be involved.

The post Full steam ahead for STEM in Warwickshire first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Primary Engineer X Scottish Engineering

Primary Engineer and Scottish Engineering have been partnering together to foster a love for engineering from a young age, Primary Engineer helps to lay the practical foundation for a future generation of passionate and skilled engineers, primed to make a positive impact on the world. Primary Engineer brings engineering to life in classrooms across the UK with its fully-funded educational programmes, competitions, and qualifications. These activities are designed to engage both teachers and pupils in significant ways by creating meaningful connections between engineering principles and real-world applications.

The Central Role of People in Engineering

Engineering is a human-centric field. It is driven by creative problem-solvers who apply scientific principles to develop solutions that improve lives. Therefore, people are the heart of engineering innovation. Ensuring a vibrant future for Scottish engineering means investing in the next generation of engineers, making the field accessible and appealing to a diverse array of talents.

Inspiring Future Talent

To build a more diverse and inclusive engineering workforce, Scotland must inspire young minds from all backgrounds to consider careers in engineering. This inspiration needs to start early, well before students reach secondary school. By the time students are in high school, many have already formed their career interests and may have misconceptions about what engineering entails. Introducing engineering concepts at the primary school level is crucial to shaping their perceptions and sparking their curiosity.

Engineering in Primary Schools

Implementing engineering education in primary schools can demystify the field and present it as a dynamic and rewarding career option. Interactive and hands-on learning experiences can illustrate the real-world applications of engineering, making the subject engaging and relatable. Activities like building simple machines, programming basic robots, or even virtual field trips to engineering sites can ignite interest and demonstrate the breadth of opportunities within engineering.

Early exposure also helps dismantle stereotypes that can deter students, particularly girls and those from underrepresented groups, from pursuing engineering. By showcasing diverse role models and a variety of engineering disciplines—from biomedical to environmental engineering—students can see themselves in these roles and understand that engineering is not just about hard hats and construction sites, but also about innovation, creativity, and making a positive impact on society.

Towards a Diverse Engineering Future

A strong engineering foundation laid in primary school can lead to a more informed and enthusiastic student body as they progress through their education. Secondary schools can then build on this foundation with more specialized courses and extracurricular opportunities, further nurturing students’ interests. Partnerships between schools, universities, and industry can provide mentorship, internships, and real-world problem-solving experiences.

By focusing on future talent and introducing engineering at the primary school level, Scotland can develop a diverse and skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The next generation of Scottish engineers will not only continue the legacy of innovation but will also bring fresh perspectives and ideas, driving the nation forward into a technologically advanced and inclusive future.

The journey to supercharging the future of engineering in Scotland starts in the classrooms of today, where every child can see the possibilities that engineering offers and be inspired to be a part of its future.

Get involved https://www.primaryengineer.com/

The post Supercharging the Future of Engineering in Scotland first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Pupils get to build and test their own towers and trucks, while interacting with real-life engineers who visit their classrooms. This hands-on approach allows pupils to see the practical applications of engineering concepts and discover the exciting career possibilities in this field.

The magic of the programme comes from schools interacting with real engineers like Abi Brierley, a Graduate Construction Manager from Laing O’Rourke whose visit to Little Milton Primary School in March inspired all of the pupils. She not only shared her career journey but also actively helped pupils with their towers, from circuits to decorations.

Pupils cannot aspire to something they didn’t know existed, they need role models which is why bringing engineering and technology professionals into classrooms to work alongside teachers and pupils is a major part of what we do. Mrs. Graham, a teacher at Little Milton, says her pupils were surprised to see a young woman like Abi working in the Construction industry instead of the stereotypical older man. This encounter sparked curiosity and questions about the kind of projects she had worked on, with one pupil even expressing a desire to follow in Abi’s footsteps.

“Outreach with young people is a cause that is close to my heart and as someone from Burnley and with Primary Engineer being a Burnley-based company, it is also a cause that is very close to home,” said Abi. “I have worked with schools in other capacities and, when I was made aware that Laing O’Rourke had partnered with Primary Engineer, I was really excited to get involved.”

Mrs. Graham highlighted the cross-curricular nature of the programme, “I really like how this programme is cross-curricular. We linked it to our Design and Technology, Science, Computing and Art plus the physical kit made it so easy. In Computing, we had been learning about Microbits. Theo and Phillip had an idea to adapt their construction towers further with the skills they had learnt. They coded the Microbit to spell pizza and make a tune and fitted the tower with an alarm system. The programme connects learning in the classroom with the real world and develops a foundation of skills for later on in life. Bringing an engineering professional into our classrooms was key to its success.” she commented.

The cohort of schools recently attended a joint school event on 4th June at South Oxford Community Centre to celebrate their achievements at the end of the programme.

When asked about her highlight of the day Abi said “The highlight of the day for me was getting to spend time with some budding engineers. They had some really creative ideas ranging from dragon’s breathing fire to a basketball hoop (complete with basketball). It was really refreshing to see so much enthusiasm and excitement!”

We saw a variety of unique and creative Towers and Trucks, including Theo and Phillip’s Pizza Palace and Chloe’s light of the night from Little Milton Primary School. After chatting with the Laing O’Rourke engineers and testing their builds, it sparked more creative-problem solving in the pupils as they had more ideas about what they would do to their towers to improve it.

The impact on the pupils has been noticed in the classroom, with Mrs. Graham saying how amazing it was to see how engaged all of kids were. “There was a real buzz in the classroom during this project and it captivated everyone’s attention. All of our pupils have grown in skills and confidence and have been inspired about the world of engineering.”

We help facilitate connections between engineers and schools and quite often our progammes fosters long-lasting connections. Abi has expressed an interest in returning to the school to help with any future STEM activities and we can’t wait to see what they do.

Abi’s final advice to any future engineers in the making is to “do what excites and interests you, the things you do best at are the things you have fun doing! See as much and do as much as possible, construction is the world around you and getting to be a part of that is something I think is really fun!”.

Want to follow in Abi’s footsteps? It couldn’t be easier! Our Engineer Relationship Manager, Roxanne, communicates with engineering and technology professionals to prep them fully on what to expect and their role when they get into the classroom. Plus, there are so many flexible engineer engagement opportunities! Find out more about volunteering here.

The post Laing O’Rourke inspires engineers in the making at Little Milton Primary School first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The programme gave pupils from eight Huddersfield-based schools the opportunity for pupils to build and test their own trains while getting to interact with engineering professionals in class, as well as attending a joint school event as they celebrate their achievements at the end of the programme.

Joined by engineers from Northern and TransPennine Express, a team of Eversholt Rail engineers partnered with the schools to provide hands-on support to their pupils taking part in the programme and also talk about their own experiences of being an Engineer and the exciting opportunities this has given them.

The Primary Engineer Rail Programme provides meaningful links between engineering and education, enabling teachers to deliver engaging, rail-oriented engineering projects to pupils in the classroom. Engineering and technology professionals enhance both teachers and pupils’ learning by raising awareness of the breadth of opportunities and careers that the world of engineering offers.

Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail said “I am really proud that Eversholt Rail has been able to sponsor Primary Engineer and work with schools near Huddersfield. All of us at Eversholt Rail really enjoyed working on the train build project, also having the chance to talk to school children about a career in Engineering was very rewarding.“

Hazel Haigh, St John’s Primary Academy said  “When running the STEM club, we got to the session in which we had constructed the frame and wired up the circuits. The trains moved for the first time and every single pupil was SO excited that something they had made could move in such a way! The showcase event was also a huge highlight- such a positive and well-organised experience.”

Andy Foster, Senior Fleet Manager at Eversholt Rail said “I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to support teachers and children in Huddersfield and to share my passion and excitement for engineering.  To attend the celebration event and see the children successfully achieve their builds and their delight in making each train move was very rewarding.  The Primary Engineer programme has been an invaluable link in opening children’s eyes to the possibilities of engineering as a future career.”

Chris Rochester, UK Director at Primary Engineer said “Our partnership with Eversholt Rail has had such a great impact on the pupils and teachers in the schools in Huddersfield enabling them to meet and work with engineering professionals and develop essential skills such as problem finding, problem-solving, improving and adapting.  We’re looking forward to continuing the partnership and working with more schools in the next academic year together.”

About Primary Engineer

Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 which aims to engage both primary and secondary school pupils and teachers with the vast and inspirational world of engineering and technology. They work with businesses and industry across the UK to help develop a future, diverse generation of engineering and technology professionals.

The post Celebrating Engineers in The Making from Huddersfield first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The companies were winners at the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) annual awards 2023 and chose to donated their prize money to bring the Primary Engineer Vehicle Programme to schools, teachers, pupils and engineers in the North East during the 2023/2024 academic year.

This programme will establish meaningful links between engineering and schools, the foundation of which is based on training teachers and partnering them with engineering professionals. Port of Tyne is partnering with Lord Blyton Primary School in South Shields whilst Adient Seating has supported Fulwell Junior School.

Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005, which aims to engage both primary and secondary school pupils and teachers with the vast and inspirational world of engineering and technology. It works with businesses and industry across the UK to help develop a future, diverse generation of engineering and technology professionals.

Paul Butler, chief executive of the NEAA, said: “Our annual awards recognise excellence across companies and individuals in the automotive sector. We are passionate about skills and promoting the automotive sector as a career choice and this includes starting from school age. When we launched the awards in 2018, we made sure schools and STEM engagement programmes were beneficiaries. To help raise the profile of STEM careers amongst young pupils, companies must select a school or programme to donate their winning funds to.

“Adient Seating UK won the Employer of the Year Award in 2023, agreeing to donate £2,000 to Primary Engineer. Port of Tyne won the Sustainability Award 2023 (multi-national category) and also chose to work with Primary Engineer as the beneficiary of its £1,000 donation.”

The Primary Engineer Vehicle Programme provides STEM-based professional development for two teachers in a Primary school. This cross-curricular programme allows pupils to build and test their own vehicle models while getting to interact with engineering professionals in class, as well as attending a joint school event as they celebrate their achievements at the end of the programme. The kits come in two levels designed to allow Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classes to participate in the project.

All teachers on the programme receive free kit for 30 vehicle project builds – enough for 60 children working in pairs, one full day training, preparing them to deliver the project in class and a full set of classroom resources and online guides.

Once signed up, teachers receive their training date where they will join the rest of the cohort to learn all the skills required to teach engineering in the classroom. The full-day training is highly practical and informative and aimed at not only providing training but also increasing confidence in delivering STEM based, whole class, projects.

The programme concludes with a celebration event that sees some of the pupils put their engineering skills to the test against other participating schools. The North East celebration event was held at Sunderland University CitySpace Building at the end of February, bringing together teams from the participating schools to compete, with Adient Seating and Port of Tyne representatives helping as judges.

Nathalie Cachet-Gaujard, Head of Partnerships – North of England, said: “We are delighted to work with NEAA and their members on the Primary Engineer Vehicles Programme. Whilst the teachers are trained to deliver the programme in the classroom, industry engagement plays a crucial role as it brings the real-world into the classroom and raises awareness and understanding of the wide world of engineering and technology and the breadth of career opportunities it offers. In addition, many employers find the programme an ideal platform for personal development and STEM engagement of their early career talent.

“We are delighted that this academic year Adient Seating UK and Port of Tyne have supported schools in their local area and I thoroughly enjoyed the recent North East celebration event when pupils came together to showcase and compete with their builds. Thank you to the NEAA and both sponsor companies for supporting this inspiring event.”

The post Automotive businesses help to deliver Primary Engineer Vehicle Programme in North East England first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The Primary Engineer Rail Programme empowers primary school teachers and students in learning more about Engineering and STEM in the rail industry. As part of the programme, participating schools are provided with activity kits for students to build a train of their own. All teachers on the programme receive:

• Free kit for 30 rail project builds
• One full day training, preparing teachers to deliver the project in class
• A full set of classroom resources and online guides.

Throughout March, c2c volunteers will be supporting Primary Engineer in the training of teachers from schools across the East London area in the delivery of the programme. This follows a successful first year of working to support schools across Southend in 2023.

Rob Mullen, c2c Managing Director said: “We are proud to support the Primary Engineer Rail Programme, an initiative that aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering innovation and education within the rail industry.

“By providing STEM opportunities for primary schools, we are investing in the future of engineering and railway technology. This partnership not only enriches the educational experience of young students, but also strengthens our community’s connection to the rail sector. We are excited to see the impact of this programme on inspiring the next generation of engineers.”

Chris Rochester, UK Director and Head of Partnerships of Primary Engineer said: “It’s fantastic to continue our partnership with c2c and enable pupils in a different area along the c2c route to take part in the Primary Engineer Rail Programme this year and for schools who took past last year to be able to run it again. 

“The rail sector is a fascinating one which will play a crucial part in the future of transport in the UK and linking pupils to their local train operating company to understand more about the sector and future opportunities for them from an early age is essential. 

“The Primary Engineer Rail Programme celebrates five years since its inception this year and it’s grown across the UK with partners such as c2c who want to encourage more young people into this vibrant and exciting sector where rewarding and often hidden roles await them.”

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

About c2c

• c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex. Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 48 million journeys  
• Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.  
• For more about the Primary Engineer Rail Programme, go to https://www.primaryengineer.com/primary-engineer-rail-programme/
• For more information email [email protected] 

About Primary Engineer

• Primary Engineer®, since 2005, have developed an engineering curriculum that spans Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Further Education institutions.
• Its core aims include; the development of children and young people through engagement with engineering, the promotion of engineering careers through inspiring programmes and competitions, the development of engineering skills for teachers and practitioners addressing the inequalities in engineering.​
• For more about Primary Engineer, go to https://www.primaryengineer.com/about/

The post c2c and Primary Engineer celebrates renewed partnership on World Engineering Day first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The Vehicles Programme, developed by Primary Engineer and funded by Ford UK and aims to bring STEM-based professional development to primary schools.

Ford’s partnership with Primary Engineer addresses the challenges of limited awareness and distorted perceptions of engineering among young people. This STEM initiative aims to bridge this gap, recognizing a teacher’s pivotal role in inspiring and guiding students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We acknowledge that not everyone has the same access and privilege to pursue STEM,” said Buki. “Together, we are co-creating a narrative of innovation and inspiration, shaping a future where mobility is not just about vehicles but about breaking barriers and creating opportunities for everyone. Our STEM partnerships transcend traditional boundaries, fostering a diverse and inclusive landscape in engineering.”

Chris Rochester, Director of Primary Engineer, told @Ford, “Over the past nine years, our extraordinary partnership with Ford has created a powerful synergy, allowing Ford to meaningfully engage with primary teachers and pupils. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact on young minds, transforming perceptions and paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future in engineering careers. 

Participants actively engaged in constructing shoebox cars, learnt engineering methods, and witnessed the marvels of electric motor-driven pulley systems. Tony Law,a retired Ford engineer after 29 years of service, who is now an Assistant Teacher at Northlands said, “The collaborative event today, where we learned to build a vehicle with the support of this skilled crew, has significantly boosted confidence and enriched our STEM activities/ focus.”

As of 2022, Ford has reached out to 65 schools in Essex, involving 140 teachers, more than 3,483 children, and 45 Ford volunteers from the Engineering team. Reflecting on the partnership and its benefits on her students, Aimee Walker, Deputy Head Teacher at Chelmsford Learning Partnership, shared: “Partnerships like these have been beyond transformative for our school, particularly for our disadvantaged and underprivileged students, who may otherwise not consider STEM.”

The original news article can be found on the Ford website, all copy and photo credits to them.

The post Ford, Dunton Kickstarts Inspiration for Mini-Engineers with Primary Engineer Training Day first appeared on Primary Engineer.

PEAK’s purpose is “Good beyond profit.” Strive to be a socially responsible employer creating worthwhile jobs and reinvesting profit to local causes in the many countries of operation.

With “Good beyond profit” at the heart of the company, PEAK Scientific is delighted to have become a Scottish partner with Primary Engineer on their Leaders Award Competition which asks pupils aged 3 – 19 ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’.  Pupils will be given the opportunity to visit PEAK’s engineering premises to see engineering in action in the real world, they will identify problems, discuss their own solutions, and be offered guidance and support from the PEAK team.

Fraser Dunn, PEAK Scientific’s Head of Design Engineering said, “We are fortunate that within PEAK we have a wide discipline of highly-skilled engineers, putting us in a good place to be able to offer a broad range of information and support to young students. At PEAK we pride ourselves on being a global but local company and it’s fantastic to be able to partner with schools in the local area and keep young kids enthusiastic about STEM which is core to the values of PEAK – supporting local communities.”

The competition gets students to look at the world around them and find engineering solutions to a common problem. Culminating in an awards night where participants get to see their ideas and solutions come to life; this exciting partnership, now in our second year, will help to inspire and encourage young people into STEM, something PEAK is very proud to be part of.

Rowan Maclean, Head of Partnerships-Scotland with Primary Engineer added ” We are so excited that PEAK Scientific is continuing to support the Primary Engineer Leaders Award competition across Scotland this academic year. It is so important to provide real-world context to sectors such as Engineering and showcase some of the incredible Industries and opportunities across the country.”

When schools register on the Leaders Award website, it unlocks access to cross-curricular lesson plans, pupil log-books, guides, and curriculum mappings to help schools teach STEM easily with a flexible approach in the classroom. Sign up today!

The post PEAK Scientific proudly partners with Primary Engineer first appeared on Primary Engineer.