爱豆传媒

爱豆传媒 Technical Engineering instructors, students from Midhurst Rother College and engineers from the infrastructure group Balfour Beatty are taking on the challenge as part of an Engineering Education Scheme (EES).

The scheme is co-ordinated by the university’s STEM Sussex which works with business and schools to enthuse scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians of the future. It is a six-month partnership and involved a two-day residential workshop at the university.

The scheme encourages Year 12 students to recognise the importance of science and engineering by providing an opportunity to gain useful skills and experience by working on a challenging project in partnership with industry.

Balfour Beatty engineer Ryan McFarlane (left) with two Midhurst Rother students

Midhurst Rother is one of ten schools and colleges which came to the university with engineers from different companies to work on projects including improving security systems, improving ways to monitor phosphates in waste water and creating models to display at science fairs including the Big Bang Fair South East.

Midhurst Rother students are working with engineers to look for more efficient materials and ways of filling road holes. The project follows a report from Local Government Association which estimates the pothole repair bill could reach £14 billion by 2020.

After their two-day workshop, Dominic Ryan, a university Technical Instructor, said: “The students managed the project from start to finish – they were able to plan and be hands-on, utilising their scientific, innovative and creative skills.”

James Baldwin, science teacher at Midhurst Rother College, said: “The students enjoyed the opportunity to use the university’s concrete lab and equipment. They are all looking to study a subject linked with science or engineering at university and the scheme allowed them to see what this would entail.”