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Last winter, a call went out from Primary Engineer – the IMechE’s partner to deliver educational outreach – to help explain its work and attract engineers in the North East of England. Institution volunteers came forward enthusiastically to support teaching staff in explaining to schoolchildren what an engineer does through a simple design-and-build project.
The volunteers wanted to take the opportunity one step further by supporting schoolchildren with special educational needs, too.
Mark Jackson FIMechE explained: “I learned that the institution has struggled to engage with kids with special educational needs (SEN). Susan Scurlock, the chief executive of Primary Engineer, and I looked into the possibility of channelling our engagement into special schools and SEN children.
“We have a strong background of engineering industries in the North East, but not enough trained bodies to fill them. Why not get into the classroom early, and especially include those who may struggle to engage with the day-to-day work of the rest of the class, and see what happens?”
As a result, the institution will fund two schools with SEN-status children, within the North Tyneside Learning Trust. Jackson said: “From June onwards, as I’m mentor for Carville Primary School in Wallsend, I’ll be able to find out how it goes!”
Scurlock added: “We are delighted that the programme will be extended to work with special schools and that Mark has been good enough to not only put his money where his mouth is but step forward and get into the classroom.”
At two introductory events held at Siemens and Nissan, volunteers from sponsoring companies and the institution got together with teachers to prepare activities they will be using in the classroom. They shared a sense of inspiration and achievement from working together, each school developing two model vehicles, one for key stage one, another for key stage two.
Christine James, national programmes director for Primary Engineer, described how involvement brings rewards for all involved: “It’s often the apprentices or graduates who take the lead in outreach activities. The companies gain by raising the profile of engineering opportunities; the graduates or apprentices benefit because it develops their skills and supports their competencies should they go for chartership.
“The schools and children win because the primary school teachers, who generally do not spend much time in design and technology subjects, receive support from engineers to develop their skills and confidence and enhance the experiences of pupils.”
Thirty-three schools were registered to use the Primary Engineer initiative; 52 teachers attended the training event, along with 36 engineers. So far, 28 of the schools are matched to engineers. There was praise from all involved for the networking opportunity and mutual understanding.
As one teacher mentioned, the benefits extend beyond learning: simply bringing male role models into the classroom was a benefit, as in a number of cases her pupils’ experience was of single-parent families with long-term unemployment.
Mark Jackson concluded: “This is something that can inspire young children in engineering, and the engineers can be inspired too. When you see the output from a five-year-old child getting involved, seeing emotions and their lively responses in an engaging project, it’s really enjoyable.”
Participating companies, which funded 33 schools’ registration with Primary Engineer and have provided volunteers, include Ford Aerospace, Nissan, Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Pearson Engineering, Port of Tyne, Elringklinger, TTE, Quick Hydraulics, Sone and Katmex. A number of organisational bodies, such as the EEF and the institution, are also contributors. Further interest has also been communicated by Northumbria University students.