What is The Smallpeice Trust?
The Smallpeice Trust is an independent, educational charity that promotes engineering, technology, science and mathematics as a career to young people. Their broad range of inspirational engineering programmes for students from Years 9–12, encourages the development of creativity, design, enterprise and technical skills.
These short courses take place at universities across the country. Pricesaresubsidised and include all accommodation, meals,course materials and social activities.
The following courses are scheduled for 2012 (descriptions overleaf):
Course / Venue / Date / Cost / Full?Artificial Intelligence / University of Exeter / 10 – 13 April 2012 / £95
Year 9 / Engineering Construction / University of Wolverhampton, Telford Campus / 2– 5 April 2012 / £95
Engineering Experience / University of Nottingham / 2 – 4 April 2012 / £95
Engineering Experience / Askham Bryan College, York / 9– 12 July 2012 / £175
Marine Technology / University of Southampton / 10 – 13 July 2012 / £175
Nuclear Marine Engineering / HMS Sultan, Gosport, Hants / 30 July – 2 August 2012 / £175
Railway Engineering / University of Liverpool / 10 – 13 April 2012 / £95
Railway Engineering / Askham Bryan College, York / 30 July – 2 August 2012 / £95
Electronic Engineering / University of Portsmouth / 26– 29 June 2012 / £175
Year 10 / Engineering Materials / University of Manchester / 9 – 12 July 2012 / £225
Marine Technology / University of Strathclyde / 1 – 5 July 2012 / £175
Motorsports Engineering / Oxford Brookes University / 2 – 5 July 2012 / £425 /
National Grid Work Experience Week / Eakring Training Centre, Newark, Nottinghamshire / 26 – 30 March 2012 / FREE /
National Grid Work Experience Week / Eakring Training Centre, Newark, Nottinghamshire / 2 – 6 July 2012 / FREE /
Year
10/11 / Nuclear Engineering / Lancaster University / 16 – 19 July 2012 / £145
Nuclear Engineering / University of Manchester / 23 – 26 July 2012 / £145
Year 11 / Low Carbon Energy Challenge / Newcastle University / 23 – 26 July 2012 / £225
Mining & Minerals / University of Exeter, Tremough Campus / 16 – 19 July 2012 / £275
Year
11 /12 / Mobile Communications / Cardiff University / 2 – 5 July 2012 / £175
Naval Architecture / Plymouth University / 23 – 26 July 2012 / £275 /
Railway Systems Engineering / University of Birmingham / 16 – 19 July 2012 / £175
Nanotechnology / University of Leeds / 2 – 5 July 2012 / £425 /
Computing and Microelectronics / University of Southampton / 9 – 12 July 2012 / £175
Year 12 / Structural Engineering / Coventry University / 24 – 27 July 2012 / £175
Supercomputing in Engineering / University of Southampton / 10 – 13 July 2012 / £425 /
The courses consist of between 20 and 100 students (male and female) from schools nationwide. Anyone with an interest can apply.
I’m interested, what do I do now?
- Apply on-line at (applying on-line is the easiest and fastest way) telling us why you would like to go on the course.
- We will then write to your parent and school for approval and let you know whether your application has been successful within two weeks of receiving it.
- Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first serve basis so we encourage students to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Artificial Intelligence (NEW!): This brand new course offers you an invaluable insight into the world of computer science in which you will not only discover the methods machines of the future may employ, but you will develop your very own computer program which will be tested for intelligence.
Biomedical Engineering: During this course you will explore the design of medical devices and the role of engineering in rehabilitation, research and patient safety, gaining a real understanding of modern healthcare.
Computing and Microelectronics (NEW!): During this course you will get to design, build and programme your own autonomous robot which is capable of navigating its way around an arena collecting objects. You will also explore the wide use of ARM microprocessors and learn how microprocessor-based electronic systems play a vital role in most aspects of modern life.
Electronic Engineering: This hands-on course gives you the opportunity to learn the skills of an electronics engineer; you’ll be working with engineers and taking part in activities such as building a buggy using sensors to negotiate a circuit in a race against time.
Engineering Construction (NEW!): You will gain a greater understanding of the design, construction and maintenance of process plants and steel structures while discovering the vital role that engineering construction plays in today’s society through a series of hands-on workshops.
Engineering Experience: This foundation course presents real-life engineering challenges requiring a creative brain and business mind. Some of the projects from previous years have included developing a robotic security device to protect the crown jewels and constructing a civilian bridge.
Engineering Materials: This course not only demonstrates the breadth of materials science and the fundamental relationships between these materials but will also show you the art of materials selection, combination and optimum use in materials technology across a range of engineering applications.
Low Carbon Energy Challenge: Fossil fuels are damaging the environments that we live in, and they’re also in limited supply. This course introduces the sources of natural power currently being explored as alternatives. During the course you will get to work with industry professionals using state-of-the-art research facilities including wave tanks and energy capture devices.
Marine Technology: You will work alongside marine engineers on a series of design and build projects that will introduce you to areas like naval architecture, ship design, off-shore construction and the development of critical technologies in commercial and military vessels.
Mining and Minerals: This course shows you how mining underpins so much of modern life and how technology is used to limit its environmental impact. You’ll also enjoy hands-on experience in handling minerals.
Mobile Communications: This course illustrates the importance of communication systems through a series of hands-on workshops in which you will design, develop and prototype your very own communication systems components and therefore discover the engineering principles, materials and technologies involved.
Motorsports Engineering: Giving you the inside track on life in the fast lane, this course is designed to give you a unique insight into the engineering and technology involved in the development of a competitive race car.
Nanotechnology: Our exciting, hands-on course introduces the study of matter on a tiny scale – smaller than a billionth of a metre – and the astonishing products which can be produced when atoms and molecules are manipulated.
National Grid Work Experience Week: Based at the National Grid Training Centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire this learning opportunity will boost your knowledge of engineering, and the future of energy.
Naval Architecture: Ever wondered why a boat floats and a submarine sinks? Or how much power it takes to move an aircraft carrier through the water? This course gives you a hands-on introduction to the design and construction of all types of marine vessels.
Nuclear Engineering: This course covers a range of issues such as radiation, the environment, decommissioning and waste. You'll be taking part in boundary-pushing projects which require you to wear respirators, dress in special overalls and use multiple gloves - all brilliant experience for those considering a career in the industry.
Nuclear Marine Engineering: Working alongside the Royal Navy and Babcock International Group you will learn all about nuclear power. You will also have the amazing opportunity to stay in the Royal Navy Destroyer moored in Portsmouth Harbour.
Railway Engineering: Cutting across many disciplines, this course explores the design, construction and operations of railways and gives you a valuable insight into what our future railways could look like.
Railway Systems Engineering: During this course students will acquire knowledge of the design, construction, and operation of many railway subsystems and their interfaces.
Supercomputing in Engineering: Imagining a life without computers is getting harder every day. There’s more to them than games and email. They influence how we live, what we do and where we travel. During the course you will take part in activities such as building a supercomputer capable of designing your own aircraft and then flying it yourself.
Structural Engineering: This course gives you the opportunity to discover what is involved in the design and construction of a structure; you will take part in a design-and-build challenge which will test your own skills as a potential engineer in this field.
Go to for the latest on course details and availability.