Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is pleased to be the first company to partner with Mabey Hire on their new STEM Education Programme. The immersive 16-week course, thought to be one of the UK’s first civil engineering focused programmes that uses LEGO® Education materials, was developed by Mabey Hire to inspire young children to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and consider careers in civil engineering.
Aimed at school children aged 10-13, the programme helps students improve their awareness and perceptions of the engineering and construction sectors, by giving them the opportunity to learn basic engineering principles in a hands-on, fun and engaging way. The tasks cover mathematical challenges and nine different engineering activities including beam balance, freewheeler, power car, gear racer, tower crane, robot arm, scissor lift, watch tower and bridge. To consolidate the learning, a bespoke ‘mission mat’ has been created - a visual learning tool which encourages students to apply learning and problem solving to achieve an end goal.
To connect with the digital world and embrace the future of technology in construction, students will also engage in the programme through Virtual Reality (VR), where some of the world’s most iconic structures - for example the Sydney Opera House or Eiffel Tower - will be represented in LEGO VR worlds. Through VR headsets, students will engage with and explore the structures while learning the statistics and facts that have contributed to their construction.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s commitment to the programme begins with Northlands Primary School, located near the company’s head office in Rugby.
Alison Chippington, Head of Work Winning for the Highways business at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “It was in conversation with our supplier Mabey Hire that we first heard about this innovative education scheme. Seeing the potential, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has been delighted to support the scheme in its first pilot in the industry – we are committed to inspiring the workforce of the future and addressing the industry’s skill shortage and this programme does just that.”
Liann Carribine, education visits coordinator at Northlands Primary School, said, “We’re really enjoying working with the team at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, this is a great opportunity for our Year Six children and we’re thrilled to have been chosen to take part. The children always look forward to their sessions - we hope this will encourage and inspire them to consider a career in engineering.”
Gordon MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Mabey Hire adds: “One of Mabey Hire’s key strengths is its engineering expertise and we know how varied, fascinating and rewarding a career in engineering can be. With 1.8 million engineers needed in the UK by 2025, we take our responsibility for encouraging the next generation of engineers seriously, which is why we have built this programme to inspire and engage children to consider a career in engineering, no matter what their current understanding of the subject is.”