Memorandum submitted by the Imagineering
Foundation
BACKGROUND
— The future of UK engineering and
the development of a higher added value economy depend on a supply
of talented, able, motivated people to join the engineering profession
at all levels to ensure that the UK has a globally competitive,
developing, productive engineering and manufacturing base. The
development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) skills at formative stages in children's education is important
in achieving this. — IMAGINEERING FOUNDATION is an education
charity focused on delivering engineers of the future by inspiring
and engaging young people through hands-on fun activity through
public Imagineering Fairs but most particularly Imagineering clubs.
This experience of enjoyment and achievement from making things
at an early age is a proven formula for the first step in halting
and reversing the downwards trend in STEM skills in the UK's young
population. — Imagineering harnesses the energy of engineers,
often through the professional institutions and companies, to
bring exciting experiences to children, aimed at encouraging them
to pursue a career in engineering.
IMAGINEERING CLUBS
— After-school clubs, for 9-12 year
olds, tutored by volunteer engineers; run for an hour a week throughout
the school year, where, using simple tools and learning basic
skills, children produce a programme of curriculum-related working
models, made from kits, which they can then take home. — Over
120 clubs currently engage nearly 1,500 children each week, mainly
in primary schools, run by around 250 tutors.
— Volunteer engineer tutors provide
the children with a realistic positive experience of engineering.
— Imagineering is one of only 15 organisations
to gain the prestigious Learning Grid Quality Award, as assessed
by judges from education and industry.
— Imagineering Foundation delivers
an exciting opportunity to children towards the end of primary
school and at the beginning of secondary.
To take Imagineering's aims forward, a long-term
view must be taken, with actions now to secure both the STEM experts
and the STEM technicians in 10-20 years time.
— Imagineering aims, long-term, to
establish an Imagineering Club in every primary school in UK—with
a short-term target of 20% cover by 2010 or 4000 Imagineering
Clubs.
— The main elements of the delivery
side of the long-term plan
— Reinforce the existing Imagineering
logistics facility for tools, kits and know-how;
— Decentralise delivery to approximately
10 regional centres each responsible for local
— Marketing to local companies to obtain
volunteers as tutors;
— Offer of hands-on training of interested
primary school teachers;
— Collaboration with other organisations
and initiatives to give a coherent strategy for enhancing STEM
skills.
— Each regional centre minimum exclusive
resource is a half time trainer / marketing person (equipped and
with transport) and a permanent training room.
BENEFITS for organisations supporting Imagineering
Clubs, through provision of volunteer tutors or financial resources,
include:
— actively working towards addressing
future skills gap in engineering, from which all will benefit;
— promoting engineering & manufacturing,
contributing in a positive way to the future of UK economy;
— involvement with activity that contributes
to the organisation's corporate social responsibility programme;
— personal development of employees
and management.
CONCLUSION
— Imagineering is entirely volunteer
based at present with no permanent funding and success has been
due to enthusiasm and ad hoc support—in cash or kind—from
companies, engineering organisations and professional institutions.
— However, for future growth to be achieved reliable
funding and a base of permanent staff needs to established.
October 2008
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