Introduction

Each year we run a 4-day Headstart in conjunction with the Engineering Development Trust, EDT, for year 12 pupils. The course in 2013 will run from 8^th to 11^th July. I will hire 5 graduating students to help with this course and will advertise this work later in the Spring term.

In 2013 we are also running an Inspire course for the first time. Unfortunately women continue to represent only around 12% of engineering students in the UK and to encourage more to consider engineering EDT have launched Inspire. It concentrates on the study skills pupils will need for sixth form but also has a few taster activities on engineering. The overall objectives can be seen via EDT at http://www.etrust.org.uk/headstart/inspire_year_11_girls_courses.cfm

We are offering a non residential course from 1^st to 3^rd July 2013, specifically for local pupils. I need help to develop the course content and deliver it. The course will be run by myself and Jo Tuck, who is a project manager on a research project in the School of Engineering.

Opportunity

To help with Inspire, I am looking to recruit 5 non graduating students, from years 1 or 2 of the BEng or years 1, 2 or 3 of the MEng, to help design and deliver the content. The main aim is to help improve the participants’ study skills and give a short introduction to engineering. Any Inspire participants get priority for a place on Headstart the following year and so the course content needs to be unique. I will pay each student £200 for the 3-day course and lunch will be provided each day. I can also pay for overnight University accommodation for 1^st and 2^nd July if you need it.

We will need to have some meetings this term to develop the timetable and sessions. I would like the majority of the content to be delivered by the students, as I think you will have a much better idea about what will be useful. Attached is a suggested timetable for a residential course from EDT, however, our course being non-residential for the participants will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day.

I would like to recruit a mix of female and male students to help as an all female team would not be representative of the engineering student mix.

Application

If you want to apply for this work then send me a short email by Friday 11^th January 2013 explaining why you are interested and outlining any ideas you have for sessions or activities. Selections will be made on the following criteria:

• A mix of male to female students
• Quality of the ideas for sessions/activities
• Students to represent a range of our engineering courses
• A mix of different nationalities and backgrounds

Regards,

Karen Bradbury