The Learning Grid

Real-life six-month industry-related projects are offered to talented teams of up to four Year 12 students in the Engineering Education Scheme (England).

Each project is unique, designed by a local engineering-based company to feature real scientific, engineering and technological problems. Teams are also assigned a company mentor to introduce the project and oversee the work with teacher supervision.

Throughout the project phase, participants gain experience of project management, teamwork, interviewing, presentations and technical report writing. The EESE involves three special events; the launch, a three-day University Residential Workshop which takes place in December or January, and the Celebration and Assessment Day in the spring where all projects are rigorously assessed by regional representatives from industry, commerce and education.

Students get the opportunity to meet professional and graduate engineers, scientists and technologists and to gain an awareness of possible career opportunities by seeing the application of theory in an industrial environment. They also get a taste of university life – a valuable experience to include in university and job applications – and the use of university facilities to develop their project.

Subject to certain conditions, students who participate successfully in the scheme may submit their individual contribution to the team project for accreditation as part of their project work for post-16 courses of certain awarding bodies. Team members can also apply for a British Association CREST Gold Award (see page 53) and 90% of participating students are successful. The scheme is also recognised by the Duke of Edinburgh Award skills section.

Accreditation is available for teachers through a partnership of the scheme and the College of Teachers. The scheme is validated by a Higher Education Institution and accredited via the awarding body ASDAN. Support material includes guidance notes for teachers and industry mentors covering: student selection; applications; interviews; mentor and teacher roles and advice on the selection of a suitable project. Teachers are briefed regularly on all aspects of the assessment process during the project to assist in their team’s preparations.

The Engineering Education Scheme (England) is run by the EDT, an independent educational charity, and is a member of The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Best Programme.

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