We Can Be: Engineers Event at Lincoln College

Thanks to the STEM initiative, two winning school classes had the opportunity to visit Lincoln College for an engaging morning of Engineering. This interactive experience was made possible by their active participation in the online events organised by Big Ideas. 

Ross Tarnowski Assistant Principal of the Air and Space institute and Engineering at Lincoln College Group said: “It is fantastic to see young people showcase their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a college group we thoroughly enjoy hosting such sessions to get them enthused about their future – with our wide range of enriching courses and state-of-the-art facilities and resources, we are dedicated to shaping and best preparing young minds for successful careers.” 

Vicky Hatchett, Executive Producer at Big Ideas, said: "We Can Be: Engineers aim to bring the excitement of engineering and engineering careers to young people still at primary school. A partnership with the Royal Air Force Youth STEM programme and Lincoln College, it aims to change perceptions about who can be an engineer and raise awareness of how engineering can change the world.  
"On 18 October, over 4000 young people in 134 classrooms across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire took part in a live engineering challenge to design vehicles of the future led by Royal Air Force engineer, Sergeant Chris Broadwith. Following the digital events day, two winning classes got the opportunity to become engineers for the morning at Lincoln College building hovercrafts, rockets and discovering 3D printing and robots.  

"Thank you for the wonderful team at Lincoln College for providing such a memorable experience for the winning classes. The programme is about inspiring the next generation of engineers, and the workshops did just that with young people keen to share their ideas and knowledge on their return to school." 

The ‘We Can Be: Engineers’ event showcased the remarkable workshop facilities that students can access for their further studies beyond school. The students gained valuable hands-on experience exploring the impact of friction on motion. They had the opportunity to construct hovercrafts using air from balloons to levitate craft made from compact discs (CD) - discovering the significant role of an air cushion in reducing friction as the craft glides smoothly over surfaces. 

As part of another engaging activity, students were tasked with designing and building their very own rockets. The highlight of the event was the rocket launch, where students observed and analysed the various factors that influence trajectory and distance travelled.  

By immersing themselves in the world of engineering, young minds may feel inspired and enthused to pursue engineering in their Further Education journeys.  

Are you interested in engineering technologies, CAD, or machining processes? Discover more about our engaging and employer-led courses on our next open day. Find out more about our engineering provision here.