Published at 15:48, Wednesday, 27 October 2010

WEST Cumbrian students were given a true insight into the world of engineering this month at the sixth annual Engineering Awareness Event.

Ideas in action: Zooming in on just some of the scenes at the Engineering Awareness Event

Organised by St Benedict’s School, the event attracted over 300 visitors to the 21 company stands that were on offer.

The day was held at the impressive Energus facility at Lillyhall, on October 16.

Interactive, hands-on activities were the order of the day with young people given the chance to enjoy simulators, glove box challenges and even robots.

Other engineering-related tasks and competitions were also on offer including an engineering egg competition, prototype design packages and even a giant Jenga competition which was won by Emily Longrigg who received £60 Argos vouchers.

Engineers, ambassadors, graduates, apprentices and even Oscar the Robot were all on hand to share their experiences and give advice to parents and pupils.

IMechE displayed its new Dyson cooling fan as an outstanding example of design engineering, Sellafield Ltd drew in crowds with its star simulator and its remote handling gloveboxes and energy firm EOn brought its mobile visitors centre which was situated in the car park.

The Engineering Awareness Event has become a highly anticipated annual treat for West Cumbrian students.

Although the event ran from 10am to 3pm, Mandy Pattinson, STEM support office at St Benedict’s, said there were still large numbers of people towards the very end.

She said: “This year’s event was absolutely fantastic. It proved to be a much more focussed event and the representatives on the stands noted visitors were turning up who are serious about engineering.

“We attracted those who really wanted to know more about engineering.

“It was superb to see the event have a steady, continuous flow of pupils and parents – it was a very positive day for everyone involved.

“It turned out to be a great event for the sixth year running. We had brilliant examples of the diversity within engineering from mechanical, to chemical and structural.

“There was also representation from the higher education sector with Lancaster University proving a popular attraction with the visitors.

“This event always attracts pupils and parents who want to find out more advice and career options from the professionals working in the industry.”

Holding the event in the area’s flagship centre for engineering was another big hit with the crowds – GEN II held tours of its workshop facilities in the building and with so many eager to see what the training provider had to offer, more tours had to be arranged during the day.

Attendees from a wide range of schools visited the attraction including those from Ulverston, Millom, Keswick, Whitehaven, Stainburn School, Nelson Tomlinson, Cockermouth, St Joseph’s School, Workington Sixth Form, West Lakes Academy, St Bees School, Beacon Hill School and Rathbone.

The event was sponsored by GEN II, Nucleus, Energus, PaR Systems, IMechE Cumbria, Aimhigher Cumbria and Sellafield Ltd.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk