20.12.2005
Forty 'A' level students and 20 engineers and teachers will be getting to grips with real engineering challenges at the University of Brighton as part of this year's Engineering Education Scheme (EES).
The workshop is a major part of the EES, a programme providing talented young people with an insight into the world of engineering. Professional engineers from companies including Ford are currently working with teams of four students and their teachers on real engineering problems faced by their organisations. The project lasts six months and is designed to show students how exciting a career in engineering can be, and provide effective and novel solutions for companies.
Ten teams will be working on projects at the university for example, students from Colchester Royal Grammar School have been challenged by Ford to investigate, design and manufacture a loading system for transit vans. This will enable someone to single handedly load large items such as motorcycles into the back of a van. Potentially this vehicle can be used at the Olympics, 2012, to move people with mobility concerns as well as equipment around the city.
Ford have also tasked a team from Chelmsford County High School, to develop a steering wheel to enable wheelchair users to easily access the driver's seat.
The students at Brighton and Hove 6th Form College are working with Boc Edwards to produce a sensor to detect the build up of deposits in vacuum cleaners. This will stop blockage and prevent bags bursting.
A team from Radley School are working with RAF Benson, to design a load for flight testing Merlin helicopters.
Technical and academic support will be provided by the university to all teams throughout the three days and members of university staff will be helping the students and engineers to make use of the extensive engineering facilities around campus.
The students who are staying at the Metropole Hotel in Brighton are all studying maths or science at 'A' level, so the skills being developed are especially relevant. Professor Julian Crampton, Vice-Chancellor at the university said: "With more young people than ever competing for the best university placements, this practical experience will not only aid their studies but also enhance their university application."
"It will be a busy few days for these students and a chance for the groups to make some serious headway in their engineering challenges," says Colin Clifton, EESE Regional Director for the south-east. "The university workshops have some highly advanced equipment, and leading edge academic support. Bringing the students and engineers together is a unique opportunity to spark innovation and creative results."
Following the workshop the students' solutions will be refined back in the classroom and the final projects will be professionally assessed at the EES Celebration and Assessment Event in April 2006.
- Photo opportunities: Members of the press are invited to attend the event on Wednesday 21 December 14:00- 16:00. Contact: Mr Colin Clifton. Location: Cockcroft Building, Lewes Road, Brighton. Tel: 07958 761 507
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Engineering Education Scheme (England) is part of the Engineering Development Trust. Its programmes also include Headstart and The Year in Industry, all of which form part of The Royal Academy of Engineering's Best Programme.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
