Our focus has been on engineering education; awareness and interest in engineering should be encouraged early in a young person’s education. We need to demonstrate the breadth and impact of engineering as a solution for the future, to those who may miss opportunities otherwise. Only 1/5th of A-level physics entries are from girls, showing that the imbalance has already occurred by this point.
We believe the most inspiring way to do this is to provide a connection between current engineers and students. Our solution is to combine the benefits that industry contacts can have on young people, and the benefits to industry from understanding and learning from tomorrow’s key stakeholders. Young people today are more motivated than ever to solve the big problems that climate change, and historic practices are creating.
Our proposal is a partnership program for children aged 11 – 16 in secondary schools starting at a national level but possible to expand globally. The program involves a specially designed toolkit of materials and prompts for each ability level. Alongside this toolkit, an industry sponsor will set an appropriate challenge with a focus on sustainability and a positive global impact. An example of a toolkit and challenge would be equipment such as lego and an introduction to biomimicry, with the challenge set to learn from nature to create an efficient design for new shaded seating in their playground.
Our idea will amplify the voices of the businesses taking part, which we hope would include many small, unique, entrepreneurs local to their community, whilst also making them introspective on their own involvement in technology, sustainability, and diversity. It will increase student’s awareness of the scope of engineering and begin to provide them with the skills needed to create a positive global impact.
#d2128 #education #partnership #impact
@Molly Ryall Thomson
Hi team D21-28! I'm Oli and I will be your mentor for this competition. Thank you for your proposal and I look forward to working with you all.
I think you have come up with a really interesting idea.
You have clearly defined the target audience for this initiative and I think that the secondary school bracket is a smart move given that it will allow all children (theoretically) to participate and promote a high level of inclusivity.
Remember the key word in the design prompt 'globally'. You have mentioned it already, but as your ideas develop make sure they continue to have that potential to increase global responsibility.
- Have you thought about the logistics of financing this idea?
- Who/what will decide which schools are partnered with which sponsors/businesses?
Let me know your thoughts/ideas and keep me up to date with your progress.
Good luck!
Oli