July 2019

www.smartmachinesandfactories.com July 2019 | 41 | | PRIMARY ENGINEER | problem-solving, systems thinking and implementation skills. Primary Engineer isn’t alone in its quest to inspire the next generation and shore up the continued supply of engineers across the sector. It’s partnerships with giants, like Weir Group and industry organisations like Scottish Engineering and Skills Scotland, that Susan and her team stand with shoulder to shoulder to pioneer programmes that stimulate interest in STEM. In fact the list of funders and partners is like reading the Who’s Who of the industrial sector. The Primary Engineer Twitter account buzzes daily with photos of inventions of school children from around the UK. This year the competition has encouraged creative young minds to come up with more inspirational ideas. Some of these will be made into working prototypes by university partners. One comment on Twitter sums up the exciting and motivating programme: “From shoes that help you to learn to count, to energy efficient floating farms & underwater drones that deliver life- saving supplies. Kids come up with the BEST ideas! The UK-wide @Leadersaward showcases some of the most amazing inventions.” Primary Engineer is an organisation with big ambitions. It started 15 years ago, by taking engineering into primary school classrooms - despite being told at the time that primary wasn’t important and that 14-19 was the age to focus on. Over the years Primary Engineer has observed many things, one of which being children like to be called an engineer! They like to find problems to solve of their own. The Leaders Award, a Primary Engineer programme, asks pupils “If you were an engineer what would you do?” In 2017/2018 over 37,000 children and young adults submitted their inventions, with many exhibited at 9 events nationally, 220 receiving top awards and 6 universities ended up making some of the best and most inspiring ideas. The gender demographic amongst entries is an almost exact 50/50 split.  Now in 2019, sixteen regional events are taking place throughout the summer and over 60,000 entries to the awards have been received. So, when it comes to looking forward twenty years to when the 5 year olds of today are ready to enter industry it’s teams like Primary Engineer and their industry partners investing in today’s children, peaking their interest in STEM and maintaining it throughout school that will help to keep the Great in Great British Engineering. More information can be obtained from:  www.primaryengineer.com    www.primaryengineer.com/ institutions/   Dr. Susan Scurlock, with Professor John Perkins at the launch of the Institutions of Primary and Secondary Engineers.