- Importance of Design & Technology in schools highlighted as predictions show that the UK risks a future shortage of ‘home grown’ engineers.
- D+T with ICT Education Show unveils programme of seminars and workshops to help teachers tackle key issues including engaging girls in tech.
New exhibitor at the D+T with ICT Education Show, National Grid, predicted an impending shortage of engineers in its 2009 report, ‘Engineering Our Future’ and will be using the show to talk to teachers about its education and skills programme.
National Grid’s Education and Skills manager, Richard Earp said: “The results of the report highlight a real need to explain engineering better to young people and to show them where their STEM and Design & Technology studies can lead. We’ll be using the show to highlight some of our people and technology, and help inspire young people to consider engineering careers.”
Also addressing this situation in her keynote speech at the D+T with ICT Education Show will be Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of STEMNET, who will explore how greater links can be made between the D&T and STEM agenda, enhancing the range of activities available to teachers to enrich and enhance the D&T subject and appeal.
STEMNET will be running a dynamic new addition to the show, the STEM ZONE, to help teachers engage with and inspire young people to develop their creativity, problem-solving and employability skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
One of the key findings of the National Grid report revealed girls are ten times less likely to say they would pursue a career in engineering. A seminar led by Dr Jan Peters, Executive President of the Women's Engineering Society, Dawn Fitt and Angela Kelly will aim to get to the root of this problem, giving teachers Tips and Tricks for Getting Girls Engaged in Tech on Saturday 20th November.
Dr Peters said: “It’s imperative that we encourage girls to try their hand at technology. Women have got a huge contribution to make in shaping and improving our society. The opportunities are there for the taking and we need to inspire young women to go after them. It’s about helping young people realise that they can do it and removing the barriers, which are often just a question of confidence. The barriers are ones we put up ourselves, in reality they aren't there!”
Show organiser Andrew Morton of ICHF Events, said “It is vital to focus attention on the links that Design & Technology has across many of the curriculum subjects, and that is why this year we are highlighting the link between D&T and STEM-related topics in teaching. Government and the Education departments need to see how important the links and synergies are between D&T and STEM skills, so that we can avoid the skills gap that will impact on our ability to compete with growing global economic powerhouses such as India and China.”
Classroom Inspiration
Teachers attending the show will have access to a wealth of ideas and innovation. Highlights include:
- The robots are coming: This electronics-based workshop will show how simple robots can be used as full STEM projects at all levels to teach CAD/CAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and ICT all rolled up in the one package. This workshop is designed to show teachers that electronics can be easy and to empower them to start creating!
- Simply sustainable: The Keeping it Simply Sustainable Project (KISS) workshop offers ideas and inspiration for D&T assignments that won’t cost the earth. Led by Devon teachers, the hands-on workshop offers Key Stage 3 and 4 related material as well as DVDs to take away.
- Cooking up fresh ideas: With food technology becoming compulsory in schools from next year, teachers can stock up on ideas at the Cookery Theatre where Maplewell School will be cooking up a feast of ideas from the Sainsbury’s Active Kids Get Cooking programme and ‘Sustainable Feast’ recipe book.
- Add some rocket power to lessons: The Bloodhound Project is the UK’s biggest initiative getting young people interested in science, technology and engineering. The project demonstrates these subjects in the most exciting way possible - by building a 1000mph car. The car, a model of which will be at the show, is powered by a fighter jet engine and Europe’s largest hybrid rocket. The Bloodhound project is currently working with 4000 primary and secondary schools in the UK to bring their science, maths and technology lessons to life.
For more details about the 2010 D+T with ICT Show seminars and workshops, visit www.dteducation.co.uk. Teachers can win over £11,000 of equipment for their school by registering for the show online in a competition sponsored by Technology Supplies Ltd.
