Science Discovery Centre Joins Forces With Glyndwr Engineers For Community Project

Wrexham’s science discovery centre joins forces with Glyndwr University lecturers to launch a new engineering adventure project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Techniquest Glyndwr’s new project, Let’s Go on an Engineering Adventure, will hold a programme of events across North Wales with the aim of engaging the public through activities, led by engineers, and inspiring them to think about the relevance of engineering to our lives, especially linked to adventure, locally. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The centre has been granted nearly £30,000 for the project by the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious scheme, an awards programme that selects and funds the most creative and impactful projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Scot Owen, Techniquest Glyndwr’s education manager, said: “Our main aim now is to get engineers on board and help train them so they can engage in the right way with the public and attend events with us. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“In relation to the Welsh Government’s Year of Adventure campaign, we thought it would be ideal to get more adventurous with this year’s project. We have a lot of events to attend and have recently started recruiting engineers.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The centre is looking for 50 engineers overall to collaborate with and 10 have already been volunteered from Wrexham Glyndwr University. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Phil Storrow, head of the Applied Science, Computing and Engineering School, said: “Our team is really excited to support this innovative project and inspire the local community about engineering and all the things it can deliver to improve people’s lives. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are particularly keen to encourage more women to embrace engineering as a career because they often bring a fresh approach to solving the engineering challenges we face.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Engineers involved in the project will benefit from bespoke support, information and training from Techniquest Glyndwr to enhance their confidence and engage the public through engineering. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These engineers will help Techniquest Glyndwr develop hands-on activities and attend events across North Wales to engage the public with engineering. A minimum commitment of two half-days to the project is all that is asked, no previous experience necessary. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

An engineering public engagement training session will be held on May 24th, 2pm – 4.30pm at Techniquest Glyndwr, where ideas for new activities to be developed through this project will also be discussed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Upcoming events include the Urdd Eisteddfod, May 30 – June 4, and a National Women in Engineering Day event on June 23, which offers the opportunity for engineers to deliver activities to female students aged 12 to 14. Techniquest Glyndwr will also be holding four Engineering Community Fun Days at its centre over the next year, with the first taking place on Saturday 23rd July 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​