Engineer IT

Engineer IT

City site - March 2009

Year 10 school pupils from Nottinghamshire enjoyed an engaging and challenging day of practical activity, learning more about the world of creative design and engineering. The Engineer IT event, a partnership initiative of the Design and Technology Association’s Digital Curriculum and NTU’s Widening Participation team, took place at the University’s City site on Thursday 19 March 2009.

The event attracted 51 students, who were given the opportunity to apply their designing and making skills in a range of areas. Robot activities included super ant sumo wrestlers, sound activated projectile launchers and PIC programmed robot racers. Attendees created designs on teddy bear t-shirts using thermochromic inks, which provided a context for learning about ‘smart’ materials. Building design was tested through paper engineered tall towers and brick loaded platforms and others soldered their own light activated colour changing electronic circuits. Food was messy and fun as students grappled with making their own sausages.

The event also provided interaction with leading professionals. Phil Breedon treated students to a demonstration of Nottingham Trent University’s very own Swarm Robot Cluster and the Snake Robot – a two metre high freestanding robotic snake, which moves and reacts to people by using pneumatic muscles. Mark Ashmore discussed basic principles whilst cooking a gourmet three course meal in twenty minutes on a camping stove. Lindsay Fidler introduced some of the latest textile technologies including an 80,000V anti-mugging vest. John Findlay of Roaming Robots, enthralled with his highly manoeuvrable squirter robot and the champion Robot Wars heavyweight, Ripper Evo.

Andy Cooper, senior lecturer from Nottingham Trent University’s School of Education, and organiser of the Engineer IT event, said: “We were hoping to inspire pupils to think about a rewarding career and the potential for them to contribute to the technical challenges facing us in the future. We also aimed to encourage teachers to explore new approaches to integrate learning from science, technology, engineering and maths to motivate and challenge learners and help them understand more about these very important industries and professions.”

View all the action and fun at this event with photos of the students who took part.