Twenty-six graduate and apprentice engineers from the MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) were among the many who volunteered at this year’s event.
A team of young engineers from DE&S devised and ran exciting 90-minute workshops entitled ‘Life on Mars’ for three groups of 30-40 Key Stage 3 students from local schools.
Alaric Fernandes, Overall Programme Manager, co-ordinated the planning and delivery of the workshops and Discover Zone content. This included providing detailed support material to educators, and specially devised online resources. The team had trialled the session at a local secondary school, to ensure the best version of the workshop was run at the Festival.
The students were introduced to their context – a manned expedition to Mars, with complications – before being set to work in small groups. They undertook timed challenges in shelter-building, communications, and supplies, which required debate, calculations, construction and risk evaluation.
Alaric said: “The sessions were a roaring success: excitement, creativity and enthusiasm filled the hall.”
Year 7 students from Rendcomb College build a tall and stable structure
Ms Alexis Kelly, of Rendcomb College, said her Year 7 students had high praise for all four activities within the Mars workshop, which brought engineering and science to life.
She added: “The whole activity really piqued the pupils’ interest about space exploration and the possible engineering futures that they could pursue.”
The Institution's stands in the Discover Zone and Space Dome operated for all six days of the Festival. School groups and families explored a range of scientific and engineering principles, with an emphasis on space, through fun and accessible models and demonstrations.
MoD Defence Equipment and Support's Life on Mars volunteers
The free activities, which linked to the National Curriculum, included basic orbital mechanics, pressure variation to change the boiling point of water, solar system distance estimation, and undertaking tasks while wearing outsized gloves.
Michael Lovering, Discovery Zone Project Manager, said: “It was fantastic to see visitors so engaged with science and engineering. There was an air of competition as classmates and siblings attempted to get their spaceship closest to Mars or be the first to unwrap a sweet while wearing restrictive clothing.”
Peter Finegold, the Institution's Head of Education and Skills, was invited to the Festival to talk to teachers about the urgent need to address the engineering skills gap. His presentation included an outline of the Big Ideas report, which was given to all attendees. He also talked about the importance of industry representatives and teachers discussing engineering career options together.
Liam Nolan, a teacher at Cirencester Sixth Form College, thought the opportunity to hold teacher–industry discussions would be of great benefit. In feedback to Sharron Pearson, Education Manager of Cheltenham Festivals, he commented: “I’d love to get willing partners around a table to discuss how we can work together.”
There have already been conversations to develop this further for next year’s Science Festival.
Primary school teachers participate in the 'Teachers as Engineers' CPD event
Caroline Alliston CEng FIMechE brought her Technology for Fun creations to the stand, where she ran a popular free weekend session, supported by Institution volunteers, encouraging children to create and decorate models such as balloon race-cars and flying cups. She also led a ‘Teachers as Engineers’ CPD event to develop creative technology skills with primary school teachers, supported by DE&S volunteers. Feedback from attendees of the CPD session was very positive:
Sarah Cross, Year 5 teacher at the Catholic School of St Gregory the Great, commented: “A hands-on session which was excellent and very engaging. Nice range of projects for different ages.”
Eoghan O’Connor, who teaches Year 5 at Naunton Park School, said: “I liked the TES guidance and engineers explaining how items worked and applications to teaching with extension ideas.”
Schoolchildren race their balloon cars
Ian Parsons CEng FIMechE, Chair of the Western Region, said: “I have been delighted by the commitment from Alaric and his team and for the leadership of Rob Bates who secured the support of DE&S. The frenetic level of interest in our activities by the thousands of visitors was just reward for the enthusiasm and significant personal input of all involved. Peter and Caroline’s support drove home the important message that engineering is an inspiring career essential for the prosperity of the nation.”