4wardFutures announce the successful completion of their Engineering a Sustainable Energy Supply (EASES) project.
The EASES project was funded through the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious programme.
The overall aim of the EASES project was to work with 10 to 15 engineers through a series of in person and online workshops to co-design and then co-deliver in person and online workshops that would inform and inspire up to 350 young people aged 8 to 11, from groups that are currently underrepresented in engineering, about the work of engineers in designing and developing sustainable energy generation and supply systems.
Through taking part in the project the aim was that the engineers would:
· Feel be more confident and more motivated about taking part in public engagement activities
· Have a better understanding of the importance of public engagement and of the impact their engagement with young people can have e.g; help to increase the number of young people who may consider a future career in engineering
4wardFutures worked with 18 engineers from Progressive Energy, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Wall Lag and Copper & Carbon. 100% of the engineers found the project the project enjoyable; interesting and informative and 88% said they are more interested in public engagement through taking part in this project. Several engineers noted improvements in their communication skills:
· Being able to communicate complicated technical knowledge in a most simplistic way to a very young audience
· A greater ability to discuss science and relevant project topics while dealing with questions that are not typical
· I have personally gained some practice in public speaking and answering unexpected questions
Through taking part in the project, the aim was that young people would have:
· A better understanding of the work engineers are doing to develop sustainable energy supplies
· A more positive attitude towards engineering and towards considering a career in engineering
The feedback from the 381 young people who took part in the evaluation of the project showed that:
· 94.5% enjoyed taking part in the project
· 89.6% learned something new about engineering
· 62.9% said taking part in the project made you more interested in engineering
· 82.4% found out how engineering improves our lives
4ward Futures are now working on a new funding bid to extend the EASES project over the next 12 months.
If you are an engineer working in the clean energy sector and would like to take part in the new EASES project, please get in touch.
https://www.progressive-energy.com/
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority
