TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Future Leaders
STEM DELIVERY AT BEDALES SCHOOL
T
here is a rising need for promoting and supporting STEM careers to young people – a truth reinforced by recent research conducted by EngineeringUK, an independent,
not-for-profit organisation driving change in career perceptions of young people towards engineering and technology. The research’s findings confirmed that the more interactions young people have with engineering and associated professionals, the more they understand the industry and broad range of role opportunities, and the more likely they are to consider an engineering career.
With a growing demand for engineering roles and insufficient numbers of professionals working in the industry, it is imperative the engineering community engages with and supports the delivery of purposeful, effective STEM activity. Developing the next generation of Future Leaders has long been a concern of the Institute. Resources and learning opportunities offered to young people and schools encompass print media, workshop delivery, and work experience supported by IHEEM and its affiliates, and Apprentice and Student support and membership sponsorship. As IHEEM drives forwards in its future planning, STEM activity promises to be a prominent focus of the Institute’s upcoming Five-Year Business Objectives.
IHEEM’s most recent STEM delivery took place at Bedales Prep School, Petersfield,
close to the Institute’s headquarters in Portsmouth. The full day activity presented a key opportunity for the Institute to engage with students and promote a positive association with healthcare engineering as a career option. Centred around a LEGO challenge, the
workshop was designed to inspire students’ engineering creativity, and design a LEGO hospital building with specific requirements. Students were challenged to create a freestanding tower over 20 cms tall, and consider the sustainability of the building, also factoring in how the tower looked. The aim of the workshop was to act as a touchpoint for students to learn about healthcare engineering, interact in person with a champion of the industry, and engage with engineering skills at a suitable level to the students’ age range.
Kaltrina Azemi (left), Projects Officer and STEM Ambassador from IHEEM’s Head Office, discusses her experience of delivering the day and the student response,
as follows: “As an IHEEM STEM Ambassador, I had the incredible opportunity to engage with students at Bedales School through a STEM LEGO workshop. Alongside IHEEM President, Alison Ryan, we delivered a series of workshops to students aged 10-11. It was a dynamic experience that blended education, creativity, and fun in a way that truly brought STEM concepts to life for these young minds.
Applying engineering
principles “Working in small groups, the students tackled challenges that required them to apply concepts and engineering principles; one of the highlights was witnessing their creativity unleashed as they transformed colourful bricks into working prototypes. They eagerly experimented with different configurations, tested hypotheses, and iterated on their designs a true reflection of the engineering process in action. Throughout the workshop, I facilitated discussions, answered questions, and provided guidance, but the real magic happened when the students took ownership of their learning. Seeing their faces light up with excitement when their creations succeeded was incredibly rewarding. “By the end of the workshop, it was clear that the students had not only gained a deeper understanding of engineering concepts, but also developed invaluable skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. As I said my goodbyes, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers that I had the privilege to work with.”
12 Health Estate Journal June 2024
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