About Maritime Engineering of the Future
Ahoy there! Batten down the hatches as we conclude our maiden voyage circumnavigating Northern Ireland’s maritime engineering industry.
During the 2022-2023 academic year, W5’s Learning and Engagement team developed and delivered a new education programme, Maritime Engineering for the Future, which culminated in the inaugural Ingenious Cardboard Regatta.
30 engineers from the Belfast Maritime Consortium were engaged across the programme, taking part in public engagement training in November 2022 and workshop development training in January 2023. They then promoted marine engineering through a dynamic programme of activities which concluded in a regatta race of cardboard boats powered by secondary school students.
The programme received essential support from the Royal Academy of Engineering and achieved its engagement aims for both participating engineers and young people. Engineers received specialised training, acquired public engagement skills and participated in a diverse range of outreach activities. The programme also ignited interest in STEM subjects among 75 Key Stage 3 students, delving into fundamental concepts through workshops and practical applications during build sessions.
The Project Journey
The launch event took place on 27th February 2023 with Mercy College, a school from an interface area in North Belfast where the proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals is high at approximately 75% of the enrolment, and with circa 50% of pupils currently identified as requiring additional learning support.
These students were challenged to think about boat design and construction during a canoeing session at Belfast Activity Centre along the River Lagan. They were joined in the programme by students from other participating schools and engaged in theory and practical activities to learn about foundational engineering concepts during immersive workshops.
75 Year 10/11 students from six secondary schools were guided by industry specialists through a two-part journey.
- In 6 x 6 skills-based workshops (total 36) where they explored fundamental concepts in physics while expanding their engineering knowledge.
- 6 x 6 hands-on sessions (total 36) which provided an opportunity for students to research, design, build, and rigorously test a cardboard boat capable of accommodating up to two students on water.
The culmination of their efforts took place at the showcase on 22nd June 2023 at W5, when students exhibited their meticulously crafted vessels and effectively communicated their new found engineering expertise to peers, engineers and the general public.
On 23rd June 2023, students demonstrated their maritime prowess by racing their cardboard boats in a regatta at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) Boat Club, navigating uncharted waters with skill and precision against their peers. This final event was a testament to the engineers’, teachers’ and students' dedication, innovation and collaborative spirit throughout the Maritime Engineering for the Future programme.
To find out more about this project, read our case study and hear more from the project team.
Twitter: @W5Education
LinkedIn: W5 Belfast
