INTRODUCING ENGINEERING TO YOUNG MINDS WITH THE SUPPORT OF CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY
Primary Engineer® is pleased Canterbury Christ Church University is continuing to fund and support the ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’ course for teachers and their pupils in schools across Kent. The university is also a funding partner for the ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ competition, enabling nursery, primary and secondary school pupils to be inspired by engineering professionals, designing solutions to world problems.
The Primary Engineer Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics programme enables teachers to deliver the engineering projects to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils. Teachers attend a practical CPD course and are provided with sets of tools, consumables and online resources as part of the fully funded project. The world of engineering offers limitless possibilities; together, Canterbury Christ Church University and Primary Engineer® are providing an end-to-end educational journey.
Chris Rochester, UK Director at Primary Engineer, said: “Our partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University enables pupils at both primary and secondary schools to engage with, and be inspired by, engineering professionals. Through the ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ competition, pupils identify and tackle issues in the world, making it a better place. Early engagement with pupils is essential for young people to understand the breadth of engineering and the exciting career opportunities it offers them. The Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics programme and the ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ competition provides teachers with engaging, curriculum-mapped projects to plant the seed of engineering and allow it to flourish.”
Professor Helen James, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support for Primary Engineer’s Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics course, which will strengthen our partnership to inspire the next generation of engineers. Engaging children at a young age with engineering and STEM subjects is vital for the development of highly skilled graduates to support the growth of our national and regional businesses. Through our work with Primary Engineer, we can encourage and develop the creativity of young minds and nurture their talent by showing them that engineering is a rewarding and world-changing career.”
‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ asks primary and secondary school students to identify a problem in the world, design a solution to it and write a persuasive letter to judges about why their design should win. Inspired by interviews with engineering professionals, students discover a range of roles and careers in engineering, learning to look at the world around them and design solutions to everyday problems.
The STEM deficit that engineering companies face blocks industry progression; by introducing young people to engineering we aim to spark an early interest in future careers. To find out about Primary Engineer’s ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?’ competition and the ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’ programme, visit www.primaryengineer.com.
About Primary Engineer®
Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation that provides a suite of programmes to encourage children from 3 to 19 years to consider STEM and engineering careers. Primary Engineer inspires children, pupils, parents and teachers through continued professional development courses, whole class project work, competitions, and engagement with engineers and industry professionals to ensure the learning has a context to the wider world. Primary Engineer addresses the diversity and gender imbalance in engineering with early years, primary and secondary pupils.
About Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University is a major contributor to regional skills and innovation in Kent and Medway. It has a strong track record in education, research and graduate skills for the regional economy, supporting growth in science, healthcare, and the creative and digital industries. The University’s new £65m STEM facility for Kent and Medway opened in January 2021, helping to generate a new pipeline of highly skilled engineering and technology graduates for the region.