Glasgow primary children celebrate schools' engineering project

Glasgow City Council and Primary Engineer Programmes held an exciting celebration of Glasgow schools' Primary Engineer projects today, 18th May 2016 at the City Chambers as part of the council's commitment to the development of STEM in city schools and with support from Allied Vehicles, Babcock International, ImechE, IESIS, Scottish Engineering, WEIR Group and the University of Strathclyde.

Children and teachers from more than 50 primary schools joined engineers from companies and organisations including Atkins, Advanced Forming Research Centre, City of Glasgow College, Clyde Marine Training, University of Strathclyde, Parker Hannifin, Amey, Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Glasgow Caledonian University, IESIS, Howden, RES Ltd and SAFEE.

This will test the children's vehicles they have built and give girls and boys the opportunity to discuss their work and engineering skills with real engineers.  

Winners from the competition announced on the day will then go on to the Primary Engineer West of Scotland final on the 8th June at The Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning, Glasgow City Council said, "This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate children's achievements and to see the impact of the Primary Engineer programmes on children and teachers in our schools.  I want as many children and young people as possible to be exposed to the wonders of STEM."

Bailie Cameron continues, "We have been working with Primary Engineer Programmes for the past three years to develop teachers' confidence with STEM and to build skills and aspiration in children towards STEM subjects and careers.  The celebration event this year will showcase the children's achievements."

Dr Susan Scurlock, Chief Executive and founder of Primary Engineer programmes said, "We are looking forward to this exciting event to celebrate over 3,000 Glasgow children's creativity and engineering. The celebration event brings together the best teams from Glasgow schools.  The event will showcase whole class, curriculum linked engineering projects in primary schools which are undoubtedly a game changer in inspiring future engineers and STEM professionals for Scotland."

Mark Irwin, Principal Officer - STEM Innovation, Education Services from Glasgow City Council added, "Our work with Primary Engineer has allowed teachers to develop their skills professionally and enabled them to deliver meaningful engineering projects and for children to use practical maths and science in an engineering context.  The celebration event gives children and teachers the opportunity to champion children's successes and achievements."