Institution news
“The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ strategic objectives are to develop engineers, promote engineering, inform opinion and encourage innovation,” explained Jelena, Education Programme Operations Manager at the Institution. ”Education cuts across each of the Institution’s strategic objectives and sits firmly at the core of the IMechE. The Institution’s Education strategy focuses on facilitating the inspiration and retention of young people in engineering and promoting the value of engineering to society across education activity."
The IMechE’s STEM Ambassadors are not only representatives of the Institution, but of engineering at large. They play a key role in the fulfilment of Institution’s strategic objectives which will help us secure the next generation engineers. Our STEM Ambassadors take part in truly meaningful outreach and are a key asset to the Institution.
To support our STEM Ambassadors and their efforts to achieve these objectives, the Education team have organised a number of resources.
Launched at the beginning of the 2020 COVID restrictions, the Institution’s growing collection of practical STEM at Home activities continue to provide STEM ambassadors and teachers with activities for students of different levels. Each practical hands-on activity comes with curriculum-linked worksheets, step-by-step instructional videos and a list of affordable and easily obtainable parts, with a variety of topics designed to align with each of the Institution’s member divisions and groups.
These have proven hugely popular, with the worksheets having been downloaded over 650 times since their introduction and six activities featuring on the standalone BBC Bitesize Science at Home collection. The current range of activities will be augmented by a new series, due for release later this year.
The Education team has also made available an updated version of the STEM Toolkit exclusively for IMechE STEM Ambassadors. Comprised of six hands-on engineering activities intended to be delivered for a class of 30 students, the toolkit includes reusable activity materials, along with a step by step guide enabling our Ambassadors to deliver workshops effectively. Following the overwhelming responses for these, the materials have been updated and are available for members to order now.
Having been put on hiatus during COVID restrictions, we are delighted that our 3D Printer Loan Scheme will be restarting for the beginning of the new academic year in September, allowing STEM Ambassadors to get access to an Ultimaker 2+ machine, reels of PLA and all the necessary models and start guides to deliver cutting-edge activities. Free STEM Ambassador training for use of the 3D printer is being provided regionally and dates will be announced in the next month.
In order to make the best use of all of these materials, the Institution has also arranged for a series of six free training webinars to get new STEM Ambassadors up to speed, outline expectations, build their confidence in public engagement, answer any questions and more. The first of these will take place on 6 September, with the others taking place each month thereafter, and are available to register for on a first-come, first-served basis.
These online sessions are accompanied by recent Education Team webinars held on these topics, which are now available to review on the Institution’s YouTube channel, including Inspiring Governance and Primary Engineer.
A full-length induction video to support members through the process of becoming a STEM Ambassador is also in production and will be available later this year.
In order for us to be able and measure impact, we kindly ask that all STEM Ambassadors use the IMechE Education Feedback Tool across engagement initiatives and resources. This tool will be available on the IMechE educational resource pages, inside the STEM toolkits and available on our website.
We look forward to supporting our members and STEM Ambassadors with further tools in the future. Further information on becoming a STEM Ambassador is available on our website.