A taste of engineering for Essex primary school children

Year 6 pupils from Tollesbury Primary School in Essex recently got hands-on experience of a career in engineering at a special event hosted by a local engineering company.

Family-run Gibbons Engineering Group welcomed 23 children to its offices and workshops as part of its Year of Engineering 2018 partnership.

The Year of Engineering scheme is a government-led initiative to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering, and Gibbons arranged a number of activities designed to give the children a taste of the variety and challenges offered by the industry.

After being shown round Gibbons’ workshops and seeing engineers building control panels and repairing electric motors, the children were divided into two groups for the four activities.

The first activity saw the children identify places within the home where electric motors and pumps are used. Following this, the pupils built a motorised model car in small groups, which required them to follow instructions and work as a team.

The children also got the opportunity to build their own electric motor with a battery, paper clips, magnets and copper wire. Finally, they created a simple water pump from a bottle, straw and a balloon – a task which was so popular that the school is planning to demonstrate it to its Early Years pupils.

Once all activities had been completed, the children were presented with certificates and goody bags before returning to school.

Tollesbury Primary School Class Teacher Amanda Tomkins said: “I was in awe of the activities… the children relished the opportunities to get hands on and creative. I must commend all the staff for their patience, enthusiasm and willingness to help the children.”

Gibbons’ Marketing Manager Nadya Damhar arranged the event and said: “I am delighted at the enthusiasm the children showed for all the tasks and we look forward to welcoming the school back in the future.”