Engineering and science – are they winning back the interest of young people? Anecdotal evidence suggests that this might actually be happening.
Forget going to college to pursue media studies. Too many young folk get minced – disillusioned and even destroyed by the too-often-shallow, dog-eat-dog, celebrity-infested world of TV, radio, newspapers, public relations and advertising.
As for arts degrees, you risk being condemned to struggling from internship to internship where you are too often expected to work for nothing, even with two degrees.
So why not do something real – meaningful? Become an engineer, a scientist, a technologist, go into business, campaign for the environment – that sort of thing. Believe it or not, engineering is at the heart of so much of our consumer lifestyle.
For sure, the Scottish Council Development & Industry is keen to attract young people into the world of engineering and science and has just overhauled its 280-strong network of Young Engineers Clubs to reflect growing interest.
The 2008-09 session has seen a sharp rise in the growth of the network, with more than 50 new clubs up and running so far.
There are now more than 300 clubs all over Scotland from Orkney to Dumfries, involving some 4,500 school pupils.
SCDI has ambitious plans to continue developing and expanding the project and is seeking additional sponsorship from members to make this possible.
Indeed, SCDI is working with the Scottish Government’s Determined to Succeed Division to deliver a “More Choices, More Chances” project in Inverclyde and Dundee.
The aim of the project is to start up Young Engineers and Science Clubs in more than 50% of primary and secondary schools in these areas. It is well on track to meeting the target and will now be working to support new clubs to ensure sustainability.
Energy believes this is a terrific scheme.
Check out the www.yecscotland.co.uk website and you will see that YECS has changed its name to Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland to reflect the broad range of science, technology and engineering activities undertaken by Scottish clubs.
The new website includes a photo gallery, a link to its own YouTube channel and a club leaders’ forum.
The purpose of SCDI’s Young Engineers and Science Clubs is to enthuse primary and secondary school pupils about science, technology, engineering and maths by engaging them in practical, hands-on activities in after-school clubs.
And if your teachers aren’t aware of YECS, tell them. If they aren’t interested, badger them until they cave in.
For further information about the network, contact Jane Martin, project manager, on 0141 352 8544, or at jane.martin@scdi.org.uk
Of course, without sponsorship, YECS could not happen.
SCDI started the Young Engineers Clubs project in 1987 in response to a growing concern among its members about skills shortages in engineering and technology.
The clubs are run by teaching staff within schools and further-education colleges. Their purpose is to engage pupils in practical, hands-on science, engineering and technology activities.
The clubs normally meet at least once a week, usually after school, to work on a wide variety of hands-on engineering projects and challenges.
Many clubs are partnered by local companies, small and large, which assist in many different ways.
Currently, the principal partners of the Young Engineers Clubs network in Scotland are BAA Scotland, BP, Lloyds Register, OPITO and Shell.
There is enormous scope for others to pitch in so, if you are a boss reading this, or the dad/mum of a youngster who is in a position to make a corporate contribution then don’t hesitate. Get in touch with Jane Martin.
The 2009 Celebration of Engineering will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Glasgow Science Centre on Friday, June 19. If you are interested in event sponsorship or in setting a technology challenge, contact jane.martin@scdi.org.uk