Our World in 2050 Project Day St Augustine S C of E High School Kilburn
OUR WORLD IN 2050 PROJECT DAY
ST AUGUSTINE’S C OF E HIGH SCHOOL, KILBURN
FRIDAY 12TH JULY 2010
125 expectant 13 year olds, 10 volunteer engineers, 10 teachers and 1 journalist all discussing and trying to solve problems that could be faced in 2050……it could only be the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Our World in 2050 (OW2050) schools event.
Our World in 2050 is a one day off-timetable STEM enrichment activity focusing on the topics of adaptation to climate change and sustainability. The activity has been designed to complement and engage with elements of the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. Working alongside teachers and support staff within the school this event helps consolidate and stimulate ideas generated during science lessons which cover climate change. Not only does it give students an opportunity to build new skill sets, such as team-working, communication and presentation skills, it is often the first time many year 8 pupils will have been exposed to engineering and met with professional engineers. It is hoped that the event will not only encourage pupils to think of an engineering career but also understand the importance of engineers and engineering disciplines to society.
The day started early at St. Augustine’s High, weary eyed volunteers were ready to briefed at 8:15 prior to the students arrival at 8:45. Split into teams and each team assigned a classroom; the volunteers were ready to encourage the students to consider a design which would tackle a problem or issue concerning three themes, transport, energy and the built environment. Introductory presentations by Samuel Bajomo and Gerald Onyekwe from M.W. Kellogg began the day by giving a career focused viewpoint of the importance of engineers when considering climate change within the energy industry. The pupils were then treated to a presentation from Channel 4’s science correspondent Julian Rush which focused on the impacts of climate change at home and globally and the issues that we are facing not just in 2050 but those that are already challenging engineers.
The pressure was then passed to the volunteers as the pupils began their classroom sessions. The teams of students each had one hour per theme in order to begin drafting design ideas. Ideas were diverse and included an ‘eco-dome’, for if it all really did go wrong. Designs of green wall building components were bought to life and integrated renewable energy plants which incorporated solar panels and geothermal components onto the already well known wind turbine were sketched are refined. Designs were discussed, critiqued and developed.
Following the three initial classroom sessions the students considered business implications conducting a feasibility study in order to chose one of their three designs to develop and present to the judges in the final session. The standard of the presentations was staggeringly high, and generated heated debate amongst the students.
The day was a huge success and feedback from students and teachers was very positive. The students were encouraged to think about challenges facing the world in the future and enjoyed learning new skills. It is hoped that the OW2050 programme will be expanded to other schools in London. If you are interested in taking part or organizing an OW2050 in a school please contact Anna Davis ()orJamesHeaton ().
Special thanks go to the event sponsors: IMechE Young Members Panel and M.W.Kellogg Ltd for supplying prizes and volunteers; STEM Ambassadors and Julian Rush of Channel 4.