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News Release from: Manufacturing Technologies Association | Subject: Manufacturing Technologies Association
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 October 2006
Challenging the preconceptions about
engineering
The UK's Manufacturing Technologies Association along with many organisations takes a 'hands-on' approach in getting young people to think about how things are made and work.
We have all heard countless times that engineering has an image problem and that business needs to 'do its bit', which is why the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) along with a whole host of other organisations takes a 'hands-on' approach in trying to get young people to think about how things are made, how things work and how to solve technical problems - engineering Since 2001 we have actively supported the UK's Imagineering Fair, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend at the Town and Country Fair at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry"
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 24 Jul 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Championed tirelessly by MTA Education and Training Committee member Bob Shanks, the Fair has allowed literally hundreds of thousands of children in the West Midlands to experience engineering principles in a fun environment".
"Imagineering attracts a range of engineering companies all providing different activities designed to get children thinking about the world around them".
"This year the MTA stand had an aeronautical theme, which attracted hundreds of children over the three days, making 1,200 sets of 'roto-copter' blades, 550 straw planes and over 700 paper planes, all of which were flown down a runway to see who could record the furthest flight, adding a spirit of competition to the activities".
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"Other activities have included interactive music technology; water challenges; jumping bugs and the opportunity to program your name into a CNC control system, which then machined an engraved key ring".
"Mary Lee, MTA company secretary said about the weekend: "Future engineers came back repeatedly over the weekend to perfect their designs and seemed to become semi-permanent fixtures at the stand, improving their flight distances considerably.
Whilst our activities were aimed officially at 8-16 year olds, we helped toddlers to make and fly the straw planes and several fathers and grandfathers taught us how to make more sophisticated paper planes - so a good time was had by all." Although it is not possible to quantify the impact of events such as the Imagineering Fair in terms of how many young people go on to become engineers as a result of their influence, preconceptions are a powerful force, not just in young people, but also in their parents and teachers.
The Imagineering Fair gives participating organisations a unique opportunity away from a structured classroom child-only environment, to get adults thinking differently as well.
The continued work of Shanks and the other directors of the Imagineering Foundation resulted in Imagineering being presented with the 'Best in Fair' Award this year, for the level of interaction achieved with visitors to the show.
The Imagineering Fair at Stoneleigh only reflects one part of the foundation's work.
Three Fairs are now held around the country each year and they work all year with volunteer engineers going into schools to help in Imagineering Clubs, of which there are 85 and rising.
Ian Good, personnel director, Cincinnati Machine and Chairman of the MTA Education and Training Committee said of the future: "The MTA Education and Training Committee will continue to champion this project as we believe it is a great way to enthuse young people about engineering in an environment where they might not expect it".
"As businesses it is also often difficult for us to interact with families, who have a massive influence on young people's career choices, but at Imagineering the whole family can have a go if they want".
"Imagineering has grown year-on-year since it began and we want to encourage those engineering companies that can get involved to do so, which is why the MTA is leading by example.".
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