Renishaw sponsors STEMworks K’NEX workshops
to inspire the next generation of Engineers
To improve science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) engagement in primary
schools across Gloucestershire, global engineering technologies company Renishaw is
sponsoring a local not-for-profit company STEMworks to deliver 100 workshops with
students aged nine to eleven to inspire the next generation of engineers.
D
uring these sessions, STEMworks will talk
about what engineering is, what engineers
do and then students have the opportunity
to think like engineers as they participate in a
K’NEX competition in the classroom increasing
STEM-related skills such as problem solving,
teamwork and following a technical brief.
At each session, a class is given a brief and one
hour to build a machine using creative building
toys, K’NEX. The sessions are often supported
by Renishaw STEM Ambassadors who help the
students understand how they can design, build
and test their ideas. This also gives the students
role models from the engineering industry, which
will hopefully encourage them to pursue a career
in this field in the future.
“Hands-on activities, such as the K’NEX
competition, are an exciting and effective way
of engaging and developing future engineers,”
explained Oliver Jelley, Industrial Placement
Engineer at Renishaw who recently supported a
workshop. “This competition gives students an
insight into the skills needed to be an engineer
and allows them to feel proud of their final
designs.”
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“We have the opportunity to influence over 3,000
students by running 100 workshops at schools
across Gloucestershire,” explained Rebecca Bound,
Education Outreach Officer at Renishaw. “It can
be challenging for schools to deliver engaging
workshops if they are limited by the curriculum
or a lack of resources. The collaboration between
Renishaw and STEMworks means that we can
work with more schools to deliver exciting
activities that contextualise engineering and
encourage students to consider studying STEM
subjects at a higher level.”
Renishaw offers an extensive education outreach
programme to support primary and secondary
schools across Bristol, Gloucestershire and
South Wales. Renishaw also partners with local
initiatives such as the Bristol Music Trust, local
Brownie groups and Cheltenham Science Festival
to engage with more students and help them
understand more about STEM subjects.
For more information about
Renishaw’s education outreach programme, visit
www.renishaw.com/education-outreach