Students introduced to Engineering virtually

Linking live with Structural Engineers from global construction company Arup, and all brought together by the Engineering Development Trust, students from Year 9 gained a valuable insight to the engineering world.

After an introduction where students heard about the career paths that can lead into a massive variety of job roles, they took part in a workshop based around the idea of the ‘circular economy’ – where everything is focused on sustainability, and reducing, reusing and recycling materials used in our built environment.

The young people took the chance to question Chandan and Selina, both Structural Engineers based in Arup’s Leeds office. They found out about their university routes into Engineering, and the projects they have worked on for the company including the trans Pennine railway between Manchester and Leeds, building the City of Manchester (now the Etihad) Stadium, and revamping Manchester’s Central Library.

Chandan shared how she had taken part in an Engineering Awareness Week at the age of 16, which had sparked her interest in the whole field of engineering.

In the workshop the students learned more about how a circular economy works, then took on a series of challenges to design their own sustainable building. They thought about the building’s specification, how it would be used and by whom, then created their final designs.

Their creations were shared, virtually with the experts from Arup who were impressed with their imagination and creativity.

The STEM Days for Year 9 aim to help students think about future education and career paths. During the Spring term this year students in this year group will choose their options for Key Stage 4; English, Maths and Science remain mandatory, but students will choose up to four other options. In March we will have Options Evenings to give students and parents a flavour of the subjects on offer.