Engineers from Thameslink and Great Northern have visited nine primary school classrooms across Stevenage to help 100 primary school students design model trains. The trains were then put to the test by an expert panel of judges as part of a programme to encourage the nation’s future engineers.
The activities formed part of the Primary Engineer programme, funded by the train companies, to help youngsters build their very own model trains – fostering an interest in STEM subjects and with the hope of encouraging future careers on the railway.
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The model trains, constructed by children aged between 5 and 11, were put to the test and judged at the Stevenage Art and Leisure Centre in front of an expert panel that handed out prizes for best designs and communication, among other awards.
Stability, speed, design and teamwork were all put to the test at the event on specially made courses. Each model train was designed by the young people, with replica Underground trains, Spongebob Squarepants-inspired trains and palaces with wheels all making an appearance.
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‘Designers, makers and fixers help keep our world moving and I’m extremely proud of the relationships our engineers have built with these budding young engineers,’ said Steve Lammin (pictured above), Thameslink and Great Northern’s engineering director, who was on the expert judging panel. ‘Our depot floors are packed full of people who love the engineering environment. they play their part in keeping millions of passengers moving, and I’ve seen a few future prospects today, to join a fantastic team when they’re a little bit older.’
Primary Engineer is an educational-not-for-profit that brings together companies, teachers and children – equipping them with the knowledge and tools to explore engineering as a subject from a young age.
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‘Understanding what engineering is and the possibilities within rail from an early age is essential to allow pupils who might not consider it the opportunity to identify themselves with engineering and technology, and to develop creative design, build make skills as well as key skills such as problem finding and problem solving,’ said Chris Rochester, Primary Engineer’s head of partnerships.
Ten engineers, including some of the train operators’ apprentices, supported the children in their classrooms to build their own trains; shoeboxes for the younger children and electrically powered trains for the older ones.
‘I had a really good time with the children at Benington Primary School. It was organised chaos in the classroom, but they really enjoyed it; learning measurements, maths, terminology and design,’ said Andrew Bolton, engineering data and information systems manager for Thameslink and Great Northern, who has mentored the young people at Benington Primary School. ‘It’s important we do projects like this within our communities, getting young people involved and showing that engineering can be for them. It isn’t necessarily about getting dirty with tools – it can be creative and inventive, and the rewarding feeling when you solve a problem is fantastic.’
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‘The railway needs tens of thousands of people to keep the tens of millions of people who use it each day moving. We’re set on investing in the right talent for our jobs and fostering the next generation of engineers today,’ said Ruth Busby, Thameslink and Great Northern’s people director. ‘It was great to see so many young people excited about engineering, including girls, and we’ve tailored apprenticeship programmes to encourage women into careers with us, as we want to be representative of everyone who uses our railway. There is no “mould” to fit into – just a keen attitude, a curious mind and a willingness to learn more and play a part in a constantly innovating industry.’