The programme is designed to promote engineering skills and careers to pupils, their parents and teachers and will be delivered in 10 Falkirk schools.

On Thursday 13^th September, Primary and Secondary school teachers teamed up with engineers from INEOS O&P UK at Grangemouth to take part in Primary Engineer training day ahead of delivering in the classrooms.

Dr Susan Scurlock, CEO and Founder of Primary Engineer®, expressed her delight in the partnership. “We are thrilled that INEOS will be investing in our programmes and that their engineers will be supporting the teachers’ delivery of the project.  Falkirk is surrounded by engineering – whether it’s INEOS’ plant at Grangemouth, the Falkirk Wheel or the Kelpies. Our work together will ensure young people in the area understand the skills and routes into the many fields of engineering to benefit the Forth Valley region for years to come.”

INEOS O&P UK owns and operates petrochemical plants in Grangemouth, producing key products used in a wide range of everyday items that enhance and improve our ways of life. Employing more than 900 highly skilled people it is vital for the long-term future of the industry and for manufacturing that there is a pool of talent, interested in science, technology and engineering. Each year the business recruits Graduates and Modern Apprentices into its engineering training programmes.

John McNally, CEO O&P UK said, “Engineering is at the heart of our industry. It is therefore important that we work in partnership with teachers to enthuse young people to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects at school. The Primary Engineer® Programme is a great way to utilise the expertise and harness the enthusiasm of our employees to inspire the next generation of engineers, technologists and scientists.”

Forth Valley College hosted the teacher training event and the pupil celebration will take place in April, providing opportunities for teachers and pupils to understand more about studying engineering. The project is also supported by DYW Forth Valley and Falkirk Council.

Kenny MacInnes, Head of Engineering at Forth Valley College, explains why the College has chosen to get involved:

“This is an excellent opportunity to support engagement between teachers and industry and help them to enhance STEM learning for children and young people. This type of engagement sits at the heart of the Scottish Government’s STEM strategy and Forth Valley College is delighted to be able to host this event.”

The post Falkirk pupils are engineers in the making® first appeared on Primary Engineer.

The event got very competitive amongst the teachers that attended and with our new approach to the fluid power course, we saw some innovative designs being built by the teachers that we had never seen produced before, including ‘The Goliath’.  Teachers at the event developed very sophisticated designs and ramped up the level which they will be taking back to their S1 and S2 students.

One Engineer said, “The tasks were engaging and exciting, and it was excellent to discuss with a Math’s Teacher, how important concepts in mathematics are in building machines and structures and how to make students visually appreciate this.”

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