About Engineering the curriculum: inspiring the next generation of engineers
Engineering is key to ensuring economic growth, as well as improving quality of life. Despite the projected rise in demand for engineering talent, there is an
evident shortage of those desiring to undertake engineering courses. Reasons for this include low confidence of schoolteachers in teaching engineering related topics, skewed perception on who is ‘right’ for STEM, misconceptions
around the role and relevance of engineers to society, the absence of an enabling environment for pupils, especially those from areas with high multiple deprivation indices, and lack of role-models to inspire pupils.
Working together, the University of Dundee and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers addressed many of these issues by engaging with both engineering professionals, engineering students and schoolteachers in Dundee. Mixed teams of Engineers and Teachers had a full training day in public engagement before developing a range of practical engineering activities, framed around curriculum requirements.
All activities were supported by expert advice and combined into a library containing demonstration kits linking to a website which includes supporting videos and diverse engineer profiles. Schools will be able to borrow the kits for showcasing engineering technology using hands-on activities. Participating teachers were invited, along with the engineers, to participate in a public celebration day which took place at V&A Dundee on International Women in Engineering Day 2023.
The project was able to make engineering technology and role-models in the community accessible for pupils in Dundee, 44% of which live in data zones ranked within the 20% most deprived, and inspire them to harness their potential.
