This report highlights how, despite a looming skills shortage in the engineering sector, current school systems fail to encourage and develop the ‘habits of mind’ required for pupils to become effective engineers. The report sets out 6 ‘Engineering Habits of Mind’ and starts to ask questions about how we might adapt current approaches to teaching to foster these skills.
The Learning to be an Engineer report was a joint collaboration between SEERIH at The University of Manchester and The Centre for Real World Learning at The University of Winchester. Drawing on research conducted across 2 years the report presents a new way of framing the challenge of persuading more young people to continue STEM subjects.
This special edition of ASE’s Primary Science journal features a range of articles from teachers participating in The University of Manchester’s Tinker Tailor Robot Pi project. The articles include practical guidance on embracing tinkering in the classroom as well as unpicking some theory on what it really means to tinker.
Tinker Tailor Robot Pi Dissemination Event 2015 - a Royal Academy of Engineering Forum event
Tinker Tailor Robot Pi Dissemination Event 2016 - a Royal Academy of Engineering Forum event
Visit the Academy’s Learning to an Engineer web pages to access case studies about engineering in practice in primary, secondary and HE schools.
A range of videos to suppor when Using the Crumbler Controller and also Pi microprocessors.
What is GMEC?
The Greater Manchester Engineering Challenge is an innovative project that will run during the academic year of 2017-18. It aims to engage and inspire primary and secondary pupils and their teachers in the engineering design process and developing engineering habits of mind. Sponsored by the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, this project forms part of the Engineering Education Grant Scheme.
This year’s challenge is focusing on Marble Runs. Pupils will create marble runs and enter these into up to two of five categories. Since engineering is a diverse discipline which draws on many subjects, the range of categories reflect this and include:
Science
Computing
Maths
Design technology
English
How can my school be involved?
We have a small number of schools working with the university to create their marble runs, beyond this we would like to open up the reach of this competition to any school across the region. Whilst these schools won’t visit the university as they create their marble runs, a selection of the best entries will be invited to SEERIH’s Great Science Share in collaboration with the BBC’s Terrific Science on the 19th June 2018 to showcase their marble runs.
To take part simply follow the link below to provide us some details. We will then send you the resource pack to deliver the GMEC 2018 Marble Run challenge in your school. This would make a great Science Week activity (9 - 18th March 2018).
https://goo.gl/forms/xhcdTMKQobgFqelJ3
What do we need back from you?
We love hearing about pupils’ engineering efforts and it’s really important for us to know how many pupils we have been able to reach with our challenge. So, once you’ve taken part in the GMEC challenge in your school we need you to send us some evidence. Full details of the evidence you need to send us are included in the resource pack, but in brief it will comprise:
Powerpoint (Max 5 slides) including pictures, videos etc
Do we get a certificate of participation?
Yes, of course! Once we receive your evidence of GMEC taking place in your school we will send out a participation certificate for your pupils.
