Primary Engineer Competition
Published 6th September 2023
Are you looking for an exciting way to introduce the world of engineering to your students? The "If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?" competition, organised by Primary Engineer, offers an engaging and immersive STEM program that encourages students to envision themselves as engineers and tackle real-world problems. This flagship competition invites pupils of all ages, from primary to secondary schools, to unleash their creativity, problem-solving skills, and writing abilities. By interviewing engineering professionals and creating annotated illustrations of their innovative solutions, students embark on a journey of discovery and learning.
Essence of Engineering
Engineering often appears as a complex and elusive field, leaving many uncertain about its nature and pathways. At its core, engineering is all about creative problem-solving, seeking solutions, and even enhancing things that may not seem broken. The competition aims to demystify engineering by inspiring learners to develop essential skills. These skills encompass listening, literacy, observation, creative problem-solving, illustration with annotation, and purposeful letter writing. Moreover, the competition offers an invaluable opportunity for learners to interact with engineers, explore careers, and gain insights into various work environments.
How It Works
Participating in the ‘If you were an engineer’ competition is straightforward and accessible. Schools can register to gain access to a treasure trove of resources, including lesson plans, pupil logbooks, guides, curriculum mappings, and entry submission information.
Once registered, schools can join the live online interviews with engineers, providing students with a unique chance to engage with professionals in the field. During these interviews, students research the engineers, ask questions that pique their curiosity and absorb valuable insights. Following the interview, students are encouraged to identify problems they are passionate about solving. They then translate their innovative solutions into annotated illustrations and craft persuasive letters explaining why their ideas should be brought to life.
All competition entries are carefully reviewed and graded by engineering professionals. These grades are incorporated into learners' certificates, which are later distributed to the participating schools. Shortlisted entries from each year group in every region advance to judging panels, where two winners in each age group are selected, and outstanding entries are commended.
Winners are then invited to regional awards ceremonies, where their achievements are celebrated. Moreover, a selection of entries is showcased to the public, inspiring even more young minds. As an exciting highlight, the University partners of Primary Engineer unveil prototypes created from the winning ideas of the previous year's entries during the awards ceremony.
When to Get Involved
Entries are accepted from September 2023. Schools that submit entries before Christmas will get free postage. Pupil certificates could potentially be issued to schools from February. All entries need to be submitted by March 2024.
This immersive experience sparks creativity, curiosity, and a passion for problem-solving. By participating in this competition, students not only envision themselves as future engineers but also contribute to innovative solutions for real-world challenges. So, educators and students, gear up and get ready to embark on an inspiring journey of engineering exploration with Primary Engineer.
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