This November, DETI Inspire have been heading out to different libraries in South Gloucestershire to deliver sessions to school groups that teach them about the different engineering careers open to them.
The team have been joined by STEM Ambassadors as well as Student Ambassadors from the UWE School of Engineering, who have discussed their engineering work and favourite projects, what inspired them to get into engineering, and their career paths. The kids then have the opportunity to flood the engineers with questions and discover that engineering really could be something for them.
The sessions also aim to break down commonly-held misconceptions of engineering amongst young people, by introducing them to a whole host of different engineering careers, and engineers from diverse backgrounds. Using the DETI Inspire team’s ‘Engineering Curiosity’ cards, which feature 52 real West of England-based engineers that also sent in TikTok style engaging videos about the ups and downs of their job to help inspire the young people. Where young people may believe that engineering isn’t for them, thinking that engineers need expert maths and science skills or are always covered in oil underneath cars; the session seeks to instead highlight skills such as creativity, communication and problem-solving.
In total, the sessions reached 325 Year 6 students from 11 different local schools.
Feedback from the school teachers involved included: “I think the workshop had great energy and will definitely get the children thinking about engineering, which in turn will get them reading and researching in books and online.”
“An engaging event. Fun, clear presenters. Good use of resources which encouraged the children to read more about different types of engineering jobs. Lots of good knowledge to draw on and changed many perceptions of an engineer’s job/profile.”
“Very engaging and kept the children focussed. Learning about new engineers work and what they learn about – education, apprenticeships and universities. The event may help children learn more about other engineers and what their work involves.”
School children from across the West of England came to UWE Bristol recently to share their sustainable transport designs with engineers and peers over a day full of fun and engaging activities.
Alongside the team from Graphic Science, the students designed in school vehicles that could cross both water and land, travel hundreds of miles, and sustainably achieve this feat. They were then invited to display their vehicles in the Engineering Building at UWE Frenchay Campus where they showed off detailed models and articulated how their journey could be achieved with as minimal waste as possible.
Students showing off their sustainable transport design.
After presenting their designs to their peers and members of the Engineering department at UWE, Students enjoyed an inspiring talk from a member of the Bristol Gulls team, Sarah Hunt, who rowed 3000 miles across the Atlantic in an Eco Ocean rowing boat built to have minimal impact on the environment. This was particularly popular with the children as they could see a real-life example of what they designed themselves, ask plenty of questions, and watch their teachers try the dehydrated curry and rice pudding enjoyed by the Gulls during their 47-day journey!
Additional events included an immersive mobile-planetarium show, “Engineering Our Future” made in collaboration with Explorer Dome, a sustainability tour of the award-winning Engineering building by the UWE Frenchay groundskeeper, and a Minecraft sustainable transport challenge led by the Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI) Inspire team, tasking students to digitally engineer new ways to cross the Bristol Harbour in a scale recreation of the S.S. Great Britain area.”
The Engineering Design and Mathematics (EDM) department at UWE Bristol are delighted to announce their new membership with the Association For Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE).
AFBE is a registered not-for profit organisation that promotes higher achievements in education and engineering, particularly among people from black and minority ethnicity (BME) backgrounds using engineering as a platform.
Since launching the organisation in 2007 they have reached more than 6500 individuals from ethnic minority communities, supported more than 1000 university students into employment through their CV clinics and career programmes and engaged more than 4000 young people with their school outreach programme Making Engineering Hot.
Support for Schools
With a range of workshops and outreach programmes available for schools and their local communities, which focus on young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and other under-represented communities, AFBE provide a mixture of after school clubs, weekend mentoring, one day projects and mock assessment days for apprenticeships.
Support for Students
Their hugely successful Transition Programme reaches university students across several UK universities, preparing and mentoring students for professional careers in industry. To date 70% of Transition attendees have gone on to secure jobs in industry within 12 months post-graduation.
Support for Professionals
AFBE have produced several publications and continue to work closely with leading organisations, including the Royal Academy of Engineering on various steering and focus groups to map out the life-cycle of a BME professional in industry and understand levers for retention and progression. They host many networking events and webinars throughout the year, which give professional members access to leading thought leadership within industry, mentoring from industry experts and exposure to real life projects within the industry. Other initiatives like their Real Projects and Chess Club give professionals ongoing professional development support including mentoring for professional registration.
AFBE Roundtable Discussion Forum
The Challenge
Engineering is essential for the future prosperity and economic growth of the UK, however there is a growing skills gap within the industry. Lack of diversity is a major concern for the engineering workforce, with only 12% of women engineers and 7% from a BME background. Widening participation in under-represented groups is an essential part of addressing this nationwide skills and employment gap.
In order to tackle this challenge, the EDM department, as leader for skills development for the Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI) initiative, have launched their new DETI Inspire programme, which will champion STEM for children in the West of England, with a particular focus on challenging stereotypes and perceptions about STEM careers in order to appeal to under-represented groups in engineering.
The EDM department is a proud leader of skills development for DETI, with a strong commitment to increase diversity, we have several great projects already underway such as BAME girls into Engineering, a strong Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity committee, and of course our Athena SWAN Bronze Award. We are very pleased to support AFBE as part of our work with DETI to expand support for BAME young people, our students and staff, and engineering employees across the region.
Lisa Brodie, Head of Department: Engineering Design and Mathematics
With the recent launch of their Diversity Demonstrator, a network of diverse engineering students and professionals, the team hope to inspire the next generation of engineers, providing engineering outreach, mentoring and role modelling to all children in the region. For more information or to sign up to the Diversity Demonstrator engineering network, complete this short survey.
If you are a current UWE student or member of staff and would like more information on the support available to you from the department or AFBE, please contact deti@uwe.ac.uk
The same great festival, just a little bit different
Bath Digital Festival is happening! Get yourself ready for one of the biggest celebrations of digital and tech in the South West. Make sure to block out your diary and join in the fun from 20th – 24th October 2020.
You might not be able to soak up the sights and smells of our historical and innovative city but, this virtual festival promises a fun-packed online programme for the entire family to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
BDF Bath 2019 by @JonCraig_Photos
This year events will focus on recovery, skills and talent. Plus, the festival team will be launching their brand new Digital Skills Exchange programme. So, if you’re looking to sharpen some skills, wondering who’s recruiting at the moment or new to the tech scene, there’s an event for you.
Learn to code, join an interactive workshop on artificial intelligence, discuss the modern ethics, join a masterclass in social media marketing or check out the latest tech. The online programme offers plenty for everyone to take part in and enjoy. View the full line up here.
Staff in the Engineering Design and Mathematics (EDM) department here at UWE Bristol have already signed up to several events, and our Skills team for the Digital Engineering Technology Innovation initiative (DETI) are particularly excited about the launch of the Digital Skills Exchange, a programme aiming to tackle the skills and jobs gap in Bath and the South West, by supporting individuals stepping in to a digital career and helping business to find the talent they need.
Careers fairs are traditionally a face-to-face experience, where students can explore the many different stalls of local employers, have a chat and ask any questions they may have. As with most other in-person events, these careers fairs have not been possible during recent months and their absence is being felt by many schools.
Fortunately there are digital platforms available to help schools and their students access these careers events online. The EDM department at UWE Bristol have partnered up with such a platform to offer schools and students in the South West a way to connect with local employers in the engineering industry, as part of their work to inspire the future generation of digital engineers with the Digital Engineering Technology Innovation (DETI) initiative.
Like To Be is a career event network that brings together students, educators, employers and professionals to offer unique digital career experiences.
Their platform allows students to engage directly with employers, watch employee speakers share real-life insight, ask questions and explore potential work opportunities – all online. Employers can share their brand and career opportunities with student members via their profile page or by hosting a careers event.
Using this online platform, the DETI Inspire team within EDM, will be hosting a series of digital engineering career events throughout the academic year, the first of which will take place next month during Bristol Technology Festival 9th-15th November.
The event is aimed at young people aged 16-18 and will explore the role of digital engineering in creating a sustainable future. With access to the event remaining open for the entire week, students will have the opportunity to watch inspiring videos from a variety of engineers, ask questions via a live chat function and explore a wide range of local employer profiles.
If you are an engineering employer or professional and would like to showcase the careers on offer at your place of work, or if you are a school who would like to attend one of our careers events, please get in touch with our project coordinator ana.bristow@uwe.ac.uk
Building to Break Barriers is a new outreach project that aims to engage children from under-represented groups with engineering, using the computer game Minecraft, which allows players to build almost limitless creations.
The project will co-produce ten new engineering outreach sessions with engineers, children, and young people, and deliver them around the UK. To increase representation, the children involved will be from under-represented groups, and so will some of the engineers. Engineers will receive outreach training and support throughout the project. Activity will take place online during COVID-19 restrictions.
Why Minecraft?
Building to Break Barriers is a Science Hunters project. Science Hunters uses Minecraft to engage children with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) for three key reasons:
Minecraft is very popular – it has even been referred to as one of the most important games of the current generation. This means that it is both familiar and appealing to children, and can interest them in topics that they might not otherwise engage with. It is also relatively easy to use, and quickly picked up.
Minecraft has various features which represent items and processes in the real world. This makes it ideal for communicating about, and building understanding of, a range of scientific concepts.
The game can be used in different modes on a range of hardware, including Creative mode, which allows unlimited building and therefore has high flexibility.
What’s involved?
Children and schools
UK children and schools are invited to participate in co-designing outreach sessions with the project team and engineers. This may look different for each school and child, and could include: contributing an idea for a session topic, voting on a selection of session topics, suggesting hands-on resources, or designing part of a Minecraft challenge. They will also be able, circumstances permitting, to trial or take part in the developed sessions.
Ideally, this project would take place in schools. During COVID-19 restrictions, these elements can be conducted remotely with children who are either attending school (supported by teaching staff) or learning from home (with family support). The specific approach for each school will be discussed individually with staff.
Engineers
Engineers will also have the opportunity to co-design and deliver outreach sessions. This may be directly with schools and children as above, with Minecraft Clubs for specific groups, at public events, or with the project team (activities dependent on COVID-19 restrictions). Engineers will be able to choose their type and level of involvement to suit them.
Engineers will also receive 1:1 outreach training and have the opportunity to participate in group discussions, which will be conducted remotely to improve access and inclusion (e.g. for those with caring responsibilities).
Children, their teachers and parents/carers, and engineers will all be asked to provide evaluative information and will be able to contribute to the project’s ongoing direction and development.
Who can take part?
This project aims to reach children who may face barriers to accessing educational opportunities and have characteristics that mean they are under-represented in Engineering.
The project has a particular focus on supporting:
Women and girls
People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
People from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds (e.g. eligible for Pupil Premium, or from areas with low progression to Higher Education)
Looked After Children/Care leavers
Under-represented groups can also include people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities, with disabilities or long-term illnesses, in rural areas or limited access to services, who were/would be the first generation in the their family to go to university, who are carers/young carers, and with English as an Additional Language (NB this list is not exhaustive).
Representation is really important in enabling young people to feel that engineering is ‘for them’, so engineers who fall (or would have fallen, as children) into these groups are particularly encouraged to join the project.
Engineers can be from any engineering field, based in the UK. Whilst we recognise the value of undergraduate students, we are not able to offer places to them for this project. UWE provides public engagement training for undergraduate engineering students through the Engineering and Society module.
Schools who are interested in being involved should contact Laura and Sophie on ExtendingSTEM@uwe.ac.uk. Unless already involved with Science Hunters, parents/carers of children should ask their child’s school to contact us.
Engineers who are interested in being involved can complete an expression of interest here, and will be contacted when outreach can begin. Engineers in the West of England can also become part of the new initiative for Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI) Diversity Demonstrator database of diverse engineering role models; sign up to the mailing list here.
The project ends in January 2022. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Laura and Sophie at ExtendingSTEM@uwe.ac.uk
