Curriculum Development:
Awards, Competitions, Clubs and other schemesThis page seeks to outline the various schemes, clubs, awards and projects available to schools and supported by industry to raise interest in science, engineering, mathematics and design and technology. Further information is available from the contacts named in each area.
British Association for the Advancement of Science; Construction Curriculum Centres; CREST; EEF East Midlands Association; Engineering Education Scheme; GNVQ Engineering and Manufacturing Support (GEMS); Midlands Primary School Challenge; National School Associates Programme Neighbourhood Engineers; Nuffield Science Bursaries; The Regional Technology Centre ; Science and Engineering Ambassadors Science Clubs; Spirit of Enterprise European Awards; Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP); Women into Science and Engineering (WISE); The Year in Industry; Young Engineers Clubs; Young Engineers for Britain annual competition;
British Association (for the Advancement of Science)
We are a scientific society dedicated to promoting the understanding of science, engineering and technology and their contribution to economic, cultural and social life. A calendar of events is arranged for everyone in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland areas. Members of the BA are always welcome at their local branch and are encouraged to bring visitors to its planned events.
New members can join the Association at any time. Annual membership fees are £25.
Contact:
Mrs Jean Collins, tel 07811 611 269
Web site: www.star.le.ac.uk/~krb/baas/intro.html
Construction Curriculum Centres
This initiative aims to establish construction as a context for learning for all young people, regardless of age, ability or curriculum subject and to support the delivery of construction related qualifications, particularly NVQa and GNVQs. Both primary and secondary schools work with industry to offer opportunities to their pupils/students. Annual grants are available to secondary schools - contact Phil Garnham for further details.
Contact:
Lesley Wright (East Region), tel 01582 727462
Phil Garnham (Northants), tel 01604 750333;
e-mail pgarnham@northamptonshire.gov.uk
CITB national web site
CREST is the national accreditation scheme for students aged 10-19 designed to recognise individual student achievement in science and technology through a practical problem solving approach. CREST stimulates industry linked project work and accredits the results. These projects create the industrial relevance that students need to begin their journey into ongoing career development.
Contact: Cynthia McLauchlan
Tel 0116 240 7000;
E-mail: Cynthia.mclauchlan@leics-ebp.org.uk
Web site: www.crest.org.uk
EEF East Midlands Association
Engineering Education Scheme
A team of four high ability sixth form students tackle a real engineering project assigned by a company, over a six month period. Includes an induction day, a three day residential workshop at a local university for research and development and a presentation day for students to promote their findings to a team of assessor engineers and the public. This project work can be accredited to A level subjects.
Contact: Peter Tattersall, tel 01629 581298
e-mail ptattersall@eesmatlock.demon.co.uk
GNVQ Engineering and Manufacturing Support (GEMS)
The GEMS Network aims to provide a more structured relationship between schools/colleges and employers in Northamptonshire in order to improve the quality of learning for students taking courses in GNVQ Engineering and Manufacturing by providing placements and local case studies for them and to improve the availability of young people seeking careers in the vocational areas of engineering and manufacturing. It aims to support successful advanced level students in seeking apprenticeships, or going on to further/higher education.
Contact: Peter Nevill, tel 01327 361446
e-mail peter@nevill.org.uk
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This links machine tool makers and users with primary schools to help build a working powered model machine. It helps increase teachers' and pupils' industrial awareness and understanding and illustrates the importance of the manufacturing industry to society through classroom projects.
The programme provides a quality framework in which companies, employees and volunteers can create effective partnerships with education, and achieve recognition and accreditation themselves that supports their own lifelong learning. The Neighbourhood Engineers Programme, an initiative of the former Engineering Council, was officially transferred to SETNET on 2 April 2002, to be integrated into the new Science and Engineering Ambassadors programme.
For pupils aged 16-19, bursaries enable sixth form students to develop research skills and project work for up to six weeks during the summer vacation whilst working on company premises on a project assigned by the company.
The Regional Technology Centre
Their most important role is to enthuse teachers and students about studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics as well as conveying the importance of these subjects in everyday life and as a potential career. As a group they must be willing and able to work with young people, including primary school children, and with teachers and schools in formal and informal environments. You will need to contact Julie Edwards (tel 01604 750333) to tell her you are interested. All Ambassadors complete a full induction programme and need to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. There is no cost involved and Julie Edwards will give you more information. These extra-curricular clubs enable pupils and students aged 8-18 to learn more about science through practical hands-on experimental activities, visits and talks. Includes a national award scheme co-ordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Companies can offer scientists to work with schools to add industrial and real life meaning to the work. To give encouragement and impetus to the growth of new businesses, the European Awards for the Spirit of Enterprise for the year 2000 have been launched in collaboration with the European Commission. TEP enriches the teaching of technology, science and mathematics by providing practical support for teachers and trainers. The programme is backed up with a range of high quality, low cost resources to enable students to do project work with an industrial relevance and has the active support of engineers and other industrialists. Specifically aimed at girls aged 13-14, a number of vehicles is equipped with a range of practical technology projects. The vehicles are available to schools and are designed at helping girls gain confidence in the use of technology and later make an informed career choice. A company employs a student who has completed their A level/GNVQ course for a year before they start a university degree course. The student works on projects/assignments given by the company and is employed from September to July. The company pays the student and agrees to release him for the Year in Industry training programme, which helps the student become a more effective employee. The company identifies useful and challenging work for the student. Young Engineers Clubs provide a resource for schools and colleges. They create an environment in which students can extend and enhance curriculum work through the benefit of action learning. Aimed at all pupils/students from the age of seven, they encourage initiative, the ability to think around problems and to develop good communication skills. The young engineers learn to work as a team on major projects, developing an understanding of engineering, industry and enterprise that provides the key skills which they will need for life long learning. Young Engineers for Britain Young Engineers for Britain is an annual competition that enables young people aged 11-25 years to demonstrate their ingenuity and inventiveness. It is the biggest event of its kind in Europe and offers a showcase to education and industry of the wealth of innovation and creativity amongst young people in UK schools and colleges.
A series of regional finals take place throughout the UK in June and July at which projects are judged. The Overall Winner of each regional event, the top four YEB Working in Industry Regional Award winners plus selected high-scoring projects are invited to compete at the National Final in London in September.
Benefits include visits to engineering companies, cash prizes for students and schools and the opportunity to discuss projects and career prospects with highly qualified people in the field of engineering.
Midlands Primary School Challenge
Contact: Richard Griffiths, tel 0171 402 6671
Education is continually changing and adults working with schools and colleges need to be fully briefed and trained in how best to work with young people and teachers. The National School Associates Programme does this and provides volunteers with a context which supports their lifelong learning that links into professional development and vocational qualifications.
The ETB continues to fully support the programme with its investment of £650k this year alone. The DTI has matched this funding and the whole programme will be run and developed by SETNET, managed through the 53 SETPOINTs which have been established throughout the United Kingdom. For Northamptonshire this will be SETPOINT Northamptonshire.
From October 2002 all Neighbourhood Engineers who choose to continue to support schools in the county will be known as Ambassadors and the Neighbourhood Engineers Programme will cease to exist. Further information
Nuffield Science Bursaries
Contact: Sarah Stride, tel 01223 460317
A science course in one of the three training rooms
The Workshop
Equipment is available for use with students at the Centre.
Resources are available for hire.
What are Ambassadors?
Science and Engineering Ambassadors are people with science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills, employed in a variety of occupations at all levels. They may be employed as scientists, engineers or mathematicians or they may use those skills in other environments.
What do Ambassadors do?
How do I become an Ambassador?
Science Clubs
Contact: David Brodie, tel 01332 292943
Spirit of Enterprise European Awards
These awards aim to stimulate and promote young entrepreneurship in the 15 Member States of Europe. Through this initiative, small and medium-sized enterprises can gain wider recognition and business exposure.
The European Awards for the Spirit of Enterprise identify the best initiatives in four categories, with participants taking part in regional, national and European events. The Awards are being organised by Jeune Entrepreneur Europeen (JEE) which has organised a prize for young entrepreneurs in Belgium since 1991.
For further details visit the web site.
Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP)
Contact: Jon Parker, tel 01604 750333; e-mail jparker@northamptonshire.gov.uk
National web site: www.tep.org.uk
Women into Science and Engineering (WISE)
Website
The Year in Industry
Contact: Robert Goodall, tel 0115 948 6498
Young Engineers Clubs
Contact: Young Engineers National Centre, tel 01932 859256
Web Site: www.youngeng.org
Young Engineers for Britain
Web Site: www.engc.org.uk