Future Engineers
Future Engineers was a National Railway Museum programme designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and champion engagement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.
Description
I led on the development and delivery of this learning programme and public festival. The National Railway Museum wanted to develop an engagement programme to play a strategic role alongside the rail industry, responding to the UK’s shortage of STEM skills being applied to careers.
I worked with a project team to combine contemporary rail industry expertise with curatorial knowledge to extend engagement for schools and families. I worked with engineering and rail industry partners Network Rail, Deutsche Bahn and Atkins to create bespoke content for key stage two and three students as well as families. This programme was unique in that the programme was supported by and developed with the rail industry and it was an important feature of the programme that the participants were able to meet real engineers. We were able to integrate volunteer engineering professionals to be part of the team that delivered this new festival.
The programme was developed to provide in depth learning for schools during term time as well as to provide a public programme during October half term holidays. The project created a new science show and three pop up activities. We put a strong emphasis on creating engaging areas for each activity to be located so participants felt the impact of high quality design across the museum.
The project budget was £60,000. The programme ran for two weeks and engaged 18 schools as well as attracted increased visitors during the half term period.