Engineering Masterclasses

 About the Engineering Masterclasses

Building on the success of the mathematics masterclasses, the Ri has completed a pilot project to introduce engineering to Year 9 students (age 13-14) by running practical hands-on engineering masterclasses led by practising engineers from industry.

The pilot engineering masterclasses took place in series of three sessions on Saturday mornings, similar to our secondary mathematics masterclasses.  Students had the opportunity to explore diverse areas of engineering, from hip joints and crash testing to rockets and robots.

The four series hosted by Imperial College, London, are set to continue in 2013, with additional funding from the A G Manly Trust. Trinity School in Croydon is hosting and supporting further series in 2013, after hosting a very successful pilot series in 2012.

National Network

With recent funding from The ERA Foundation and The Kirby Laing Foundation, we are now in a position to expand the series around the UK. We hope that our next new series will be set up in Hertfordshire, Hillingdon and Bath, and we are exploring additional locations across the UK. We intend to have six masterclass sessions in each series and are hoping to involve local speakers. For more details and contacts in your area, get in touch (details are below).

Benefits for students:

• Engaging in hands-on engineering activities
• Learning about the latest developments in an engineering application
• Discussing wider settings: societal and ethical implications
• Insight into this wonderful, diverse and critical subject outside the school curriculum
• Increased understanding of and enthusiasm for modern-day engineering. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the Engineering Masterclasses and how you might become involved, either as an organiser or presenter, please email maths@ri.ac.uk or call 020 7670 2942.

View details of the Ri Secondary Engineering Masterclasses in a larger map