Engineering schoolkids’ enthusiasm for STEM
In the United Kingdom, EDL has proudly launched a partnership with leading science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) educator Primary Engineer with a teacher and engineer training day.
The partnership will bring together teachers and engineers, including EDL staff, to engage primary school students with STEM-based classroom activities.
Teachers from ten schools in and around the Essex area, near EDL’s UK operations and head office, joined staff from EDL for an initial training day that supports teachers to develop practical skills, meet and work with engineers and gather resources for use in their classrooms.
In addition to financial support for the program, EDL is enabling its staff to volunteer their time to make the program a success and participate in subsequent classroom sessions.
EDL General Manager UK/Europe David Truelove said the program’s long-term aim was to inspire and encourage students to consider a career in STEM.
“Like many of the sites across EDL, we recognise the need for skilled personnel, particularly STEM graduates,” Mr Truelove said.
“We were looking for a program that would provide an opportunity for our team to engage with local communities and I am very grateful for their commitment and enthusiasm for this partnership.
“When the engineering lessons occur in the schools, our team members will be on hand to provide practical examples of engineering and to bring the programme to life with real world examples.”
Chris Rochester, UK Director of Primary Engineer thanked EDL for its support and recognised the commitment of the team to the program.
“Over the past 12 years, Primary Engineer have created an engineering curriculum that spans Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Further Education institutions,” Mr Rochester said.
“Our core aims include developing children and young people through engagement with engineering, promoting engineering careers for pupils through inspiring programmes and competitions, developing engineering skills for teachers and practitioners and working to address the gender imbalance in science and engineering.
“We are proud to be working with EDL and thank them for their support. The training day for teachers today launches the beginning of the partnership between Primary Engineer and EDL with engineering professionals from EDL linked to local teachers to provide a real-world context in the classroom to the Primary Engineer projects the teachers will be delivering.”
Pictured: EDL General Manager UK/Europe David Truelove welcomes local teachers and EDL team members to the Primary Engineer training day