Siemens, the leading engineering and technology company, together with the Smallpeice Trust, an independent educational charity, which runs hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities, have today launched their Wind Turbine Challenge for local schools. This exciting design and engineering challenge, part of Siemens Generation 21 programme is focused on encouraging school children to become interested in engineering as a potential career.
The UK faces a significant engineering skills gap, with many thousands of engineers required, not only in core engineering sectors, but also the rapidly growing “green engineering” areas, such as wind energy. Siemens is heavily involved in the UK skills agenda and in promoting interest in the STEM subjects.
Mike Jones, human resources director for Siemens Energy commenting on ways to help bridge the gap said:
“As one of the leading engineering firms in the UK, we recognise that we have a responsibility in developing the next generation of engineers. Siemens is making a very significant investment in skills and learning. For us, starting in schools is key, and through initiatives such as the Wind Turbine Challenge, Greenpower (electric vehicles), and other Generation 21 programmes, we can inspire and show young people how exciting engineering is, and also meet their desire to do something good for the environment.”
James Alterman, education team leader at the Smallpeice Trust said: “We are delighted to be running this latest series of events in conjunction with Siemens. Both our organisations recognise the value of engaging young people early in STEM subjects. It is through initiatives such as this that we can demonstrate that engineering challenges are fun and engaging. Hands-on practical exercises are very effective as learning tools.”
The events are being run in schools in Manchester, Camberley and York throughout November. Students are set the challenge to build a wind turbine using the pre-costed materials provided, in order to produce the most cost efficient electricity. Each team member will be given a specific role. No materials will be issued until the adjudicator is shown a completed design for the turbine.
The events will be run as a competition between the schools, with the wind turbines evaluated against the criteria of design, stability, production costs, power generated and marketing. The team which produces the most amps per pound will be the technical winner - extra points will be added for environmental innovation and marketing initiatives.
Wind Turbine Challlenge venues (November 2011)
Manchester - Manchester Communication Academy (8th)
Frimley - Pine Ridge Golf Club (10th)
York - Yorkshire Air Museum (15th)
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Notes to editors:
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 168 years ago and now employs around 16,000 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.1 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
About Generation 21
Generation 21 is the Siemens initiative to raise the profile of science and engineering among young people. By equipping young people with crucial knowledge and skills, we pave the way to a better future. To this end, we operate a number of advancement programs and engage in partnerships with schools and universities to encourage students from the locality and under-represented groups to follow STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects and promote Siemens as a key employer and good Corporate Citizen. http://www.siemens.co.uk/en/about_us/index/corporate_responsibility/generation21.htm
For more information, contact:
Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1276 690782
Mob: +44 (0)7808 824209
Rachel.odams@siemens.com
About The Smallpeice Trust
The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18. The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. The Trust is now governed by a board of eminent non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies. In the past academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 18,175 young people through 37 different subsidised 4-day residential courses and 1-day in-school STEM Days and trained 674 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom. A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses. www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
