Institution news
Christopher Lowther CEng FIMechE is a Member of Council and long-serving volunteer for the Institution. He is also a Bloodhound Ambassador and, while on a recent holiday to South Africa, took the time to visit local schools to inspire children about the Bloodhound project.
Chris brought with him
Bloodhound Education Toolkits from the Institution's headquarters, and liaised with the permanent Bloodhound staff in South Africa, Dave Rowley and Wendy Maxwell. His mission was to make himself available for Bloodhound duties while on holiday with his wife, Ann. With Dave and Wendy’s support, three successful school visits were arranged during his trip.
In Cape Town, Chris attended the British High Commissioner’s Reception on the ‘Eve of Parliament’ where he met local dignitaries and local Bloodhound Ambassadors. A full scale mock-up of the car was situated in the High Commissioner’s gardens; this was the model’s first showing, and it was then to be used at other public events.
Chris explained: “Everyone was encouraged to visit the stand and see the educational material, produced for children in South Africa and the UK. Hopefully this high profile endorsement will stimulate yet more interest from South African leaders in government, education and industry.”
Meanwhile, Chris was exploring potential visits to schools in the Paarl area. At a school in East Paarl he addressed 70 ‘learners’ (aged 12+). Chris found a keen interest in raising standards, particularly in maths and science. However some children had little knowledge of the opportunities afforded by a career in science and engineering.
He said: “The educational materials, which ranged from
Bloodhound pens to ‘reaction time’ test cards, really helped engage the children.”
Thanks to the local
Bloodhound team, the materials – including videos, which really brought the project to life – were distributed, and replenished, as they were in great demand.
In a township near Stellenbosch, Chris visited a large primary school where the science teacher, who had requested the visit, warmly welcomed the opportunity to inspire her older learners. English was not the children’s first language, and engineering was far removed from their own families’ experience or aspiration. However, when asked the question ‘do you want to get a good job?’ the 180 children in the audience responded most positively.
Chris said: “Somehow we need to reach such children and their teachers to raise aspirations. In my experience children and teachers are always inspired following a Bloodhound presentation. However, many more schools need to be exposed to the project for it to achieve its primary mission: to inspire the next generation.”
He then spoke at the respected and successful Paarl Girls High School, addressing 250 girls aged between six and 12 years old.
“The girls were most enthusiastic about maths and science but, apparently, had not heard much about the opportunities offered by a career in science and engineering. So this was a great opportunity for the Bloodhound project to fill the gap.”
Chris thanked Dave Rowley and Wendy Maxwell for their help and support – and also his wife, Ann, an ex-primary teacher who accompanied him on his South African school visits, and also does so in the UK.
He intends to revisit these schools again next year, and encourages fellow UK engineers to consider doing their bit in South Africa: “The Bloodhound project is starting to have an impact, thanks to the local team, but there is a general shortage of Ambassadors able and willing to visit schools in South Africa. I highly recommend a visit – why not combine a holiday with some very rewarding Bloodhound Ambassadorial duties?”
To find out how to become a
Bloodhound Ambassador in South Africa, email Wendy Maxwell at:
sabloodhound@gmail.com.