Call for researchers in engineering to take part in primary school engagement! This volunteer project focuses on raising aspirations around engineering in some of the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester. We are particularly looking for support in the areas of Rochdale, Wigan, Oldham and Salford.

Project background: The Royal Academy of Engineers have funded a project with 93 primary schools in Greater Manchester to raise aspirations and enthusiasm for engineering. As part of the project teachers from these schools received free CPD to improve their confidence and knowledge in teaching Science and Engineering and all the schools will be receiving a kit to build FM radios with one of their classes. We would like to provide the children with the opportunity to meet someone who works/worked or has an interest in engineering (any discipline, including software engineering), sound, technology or electricity.

Our ask: We are looking for volunteers who would be able to visit one of the project schools (we can provide you with a list) and be part of a Q+A session with a class. The children will be aged between 7-10 years old (each school have selected a different age group) and will be very excited to be able to meet someone with a passion for engineering. The Q+A session would last around 30 minutes and we will provide you with some questions in advance, however we will be suggesting that the children prepare a few questions to ask you before you arrive. There wouldn’t be very much preparation before visiting the school, but if you have a few images or some objects that related to your area of engineering that you could bring in it would really spark the children’s curiosity and their questions. The Q+A session is only a suggestion and if you have something else you’d prefer to deliver, we are flexible with what this looks like. We are looking for the visit to the school to happen between February and April 2020 on a mutually convenient date for you and the school.

If you are interested in supporting this initiative:
Please email: holly.jones@scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk and who will send you the list of project schools taking part so that you can let us know which school would be most convenient for you to visit.

You do not need to be signed up to the STEM Ambassador programme to take part, but by signing up as an ambassador you will receive a free DBS check and be covered by our insurance when taking part in activities. This could be a good first experience to see what taking part in a STEM Ambassador activity is like if you’re unsure about signing up for the programme would involve. You can find out more about the STEM Ambassador programme here: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors

Posted on behalf of Holly Jones, STEM Ambassador Hub Manager for Greater Manchester, Science and Industry Museum