Funding to inspire future engineers

Future Engineers Project – Rose Hill Community Centre, 13^th-17^th August

This summer we are running a very special week-long holiday club that is designed specifically for young people aged 11-15 in Rose Hill. Thanks to generous funding from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) (through the Engineering Education Grant Scheme) we will be running 5 days of free hands-on workshops designed to build technical skills, encourage problem solving and develop teamwork, communication and resilience.

Called Robot Camp, the club will see young people from the Rose Hill area learn how to design, build and code robot buggies. They’ll programme BBC micro:bit computers (which have been generously donated by the micro:bit foundation) and develop their computer aided design skills using 3D printers, laser cutters and more. They’ll also visit some of Oxford’s most innovative local engineering companies and organisations. Robot Camp has been carefully designed to showcase the range of opportunities available within engineering, and the many different routes to a great career.

Sophie Batin, our educational outreach manager, says ” The entire project is completely free for the young people involved so that no one is excluded because of their family circumstances. We want to give them the opportunity to take part in some brilliant activities that demonstrate just how great engineering is and show that anyone and everyone can get involved.”

The camp, which is based at Rose Hill Community Centre, will be run by projects officer Sarah Townson and Science Oxford’s makerspace expert Noelle Aly.

At the end of the week there’s an opportunity for the young engineers to share what they’ve achieved with family and friends as well as representatives from the organisations they’ll have visited and local IET and IMechE volunteers.  They’ll be able to keep their robots, the micro:bit computers and a goody bag that includes a USB stick full of project ideas to try at home, so that the learning doesn’t have to stop when the week is over!

Sophie adds “Science Oxford, the IET and the IMechE all know that engineering can be for everyone and we want young people from our city to share our enthusiasm.  Maybe a week of fun, friends and robots could change some perceptions of a what career in engineering is actually like.”