Engineering programme for primary schools to continue

Primary Engineer has announced that Ford Motor Company Fund will continue as a funding partner for the fifth year running.

The funding from Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, and support from Ford UK engineering professionals for the ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’ programme is bringing engineering insights to a further 23 primary classrooms in Essex this year, bringing the total number of schools to date to 65.

Ford Fund is also a partner for the ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ competition for the South East England region, enabling primary and secondary school pupils to interview Ford UK engineers and be inspired to design solutions to problems in the world.

Ford’s commitment to reaching 100% all-electric passenger vehicles by 2030 in Europe is spearheaded by a $1 billion investment in EV regional manufacturing. With this promise, passionate and talented engineers are required to reach these targets. Primary Engineer, Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford are working together to inspire the next generation of engineering professionals to make this happen. Primary Engineer’s ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’ programme provides CPD courses for teachers to introduce engineering into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classrooms, supported by STEM professionals from Ford’s Dunton Engineering Campus. Sets of tools, consumables and online resources are supplied as part of the fully funded programme, which, combined with incredible engineers from Ford, means teachers and pupils alike start their exciting journey into STEM-based, career-focused learning.

Chris Rochester, UK Director of Primary Engineer®, said: “Empowering all pupils to consider STEM careers is our main goal; receiving support from the Ford Motor Company Fund means more pupils have this opportunity through our inclusive approach. Ford Fund and Ford UK engineering professionals are energising a passion for engineering in pupils by partnering with local teachers and working with pupils. Ford is both historically and today a pioneering engineering company and to have them as a partner for ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ to inspire pupils in Essex, Kent and East Sussex to think about what the vehicles and transport of the future could be is an amazing opportunity for all schools and pupils.”

If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®’ asks nursery, primary and secondary school pupils to identify a problem in the world, design a solution to it and write a persuasive letter to judges about why their design should win. Inspired by interviews with engineering professionals, pupils discover a range of roles and careers in engineering, learning to look at the world around them and design solutions to everyday problems. By writing an accompanying letter, pupils learn how to effectively put persuasive points to the judges. Paired together with the ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’ CPD course, the future is exciting for tomorrow’s Engineers in the Making®.

Debbie Chennells, Ford Fund Manager, Ford of Europe, said “As the charitable arm of the company, we want inspire young people to see the wealth of possibilities ahead of them. We simply don’t have enough young people choosing to study a STEM related subject at higher education to support the vast number of exciting current and emerging job opportunities in the future. Showing children how fun, relevant and aspirational STEM learning can be, is what we strive to do, working with our fantastic non-profit partner, Primary Engineer.”

To learn more about ‘If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?’ visit www.leadersaward.com and ‘Structures and Mechanisms with Basic Electrics’, visit www.primaryengineer.com.