The first 6th form cohort of students from the WMG Academy for Young Engineers, have presented their ‘TeenTech’ project work, as part of their Principal Engineering qualification, today Tuesday 22 March, in a special TEDx style event at WMG, University of Warwick.

‘TeenTech’ is an award scheme which highlights the wide range of career possibilities in Science, Engineering and Technology. Founded in 2008 by Maggie Philbin and Chris Dodson to help the next generation understand their true potential and the real opportunities available in the contemporary STEM workplace. The Patron of the scheme is the Duke of York.

The Academy students were set the challenge of creating an innovative product, concept idea or research. Each team worked together to create an innovation log which outlined their design and development through to final solution.

The Academy has used the ‘Teen Tech’ awards as a way of consolidating students learning over the last two years of their Principal Engineering qualification. This qualification is in addition to
A levels, and comprises a number of different modules delivered in conjunction with an industrial partner.

WMG has taken the role as the ‘industrial partner’ for the Innovative Design and Enterprise module. For the last five months the students have been frequent visitors to WMG, where the department and extended network of industrialists have demonstrated how the theory of innovative design actually works in practice. Led by Professor Jan Godsell, WMG’s Professor of Operations and SC Supply Chain Strategy, and Andrew Kyprianou, Leader of Engineering, Design and IT at the WMG Academy, the commission has covered topics including entrepreneurship (iBone and Convibo), marketing in the digital age (Concentra), protecting intellectual property (Pinsent Masons) and design for the circular economy (Axion Polymers).

There will be a keynote from award-winning young engineer George Edwards. George is a keen campaigner for youth engineering skills, and the founder of Gas-Sense, a technology start-up spun-out of his A level coursework. Gas-Sense is supported by many high profile individuals including Sir Richard Branson, and its products have been sold world-wide.

Guests including parents, other students from the Academy and local businesses, will then be treated to a series of group TEDx style innovation and design talks.

Professor Jan Godsell said: “These students on the module offer so much promise and potential, and it is such a delight to see first-hand their excitement and enthusiasm towards tackling real-life engineering problems.”

Andrew Kyprianou explains: “Business and education are inherently linked, those who are educated through business will make better employees and employers of the future. Working with WMG has enabled the students not only a valued insight into how to create innovation but has shown the students a preview of university life. On behalf of the Academy and my engineering students, I would like to extend my thanks to all of the staff and guest speakers involved.”

The WMG Academy for Young Engineers, puts real, business-focussed, practical problems and challenges at the centre of the curriculum. With students aged 14 – 18 learning through company commissions to design, make and create things just like businesses do every day.

To find out more about The WMG Academy for Young Engineers visit: http://www.wmgacademy.org.uk/

To watch the presentaions from the students visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/WMGVideo/videos?shelf_id=4&sort=dd&view=0