Ingenious is an awards scheme for projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering while providing engineers with skills and opportunities in public engagement. Funding from £3,000-£30,000 is available. Last year we funded 16 projects, which are now in their public outreach phase. I recently had a memorable opportunity to witness the projects in action and reflect on what makes public engagement so powerful.
The projects I visited included:
- University of Manchester, Manchester Minesweeper Competition: The Manchester Minesweeper Competition challenges year 10 students to build mine-detecting robots alongside engineers from across Manchester. During my visit, I had the opportunity to engage with enthusiastic school groups and teachers, witnessing the start of a 4-week project. The students learnt about the humanitarian efforts to detect unexploded landmines, took part in engineering workshops and engaged in round table talks with real engineers. It was inspiring to witness their excitement as they learned how to construct their own mine-detecting robots. The teachers who I spoke to were really passionate about engaging children with engineering and watching their relationships with students grow. It was also fascinating to learn more from the project team, The Electromagnetic Sensing Group from the University, who jump at the chance to translate their unique research into interactive outreach for children of all ages. The competition, which began with a workshop hosted at the University of Manchester on 20 June, will end in a final competition day where the students will demonstrate their robots, showcasing the incredible progress they have made.
Engineering the curriculum: inspiring the next generation of engineers, an Ingenious project funded in 2016, showcased their project completion at the V&A, Dundee.
- Glasgow Science Centre, engineers' public engagement training: The engineers' public engagement training session at Glasgow Science Centre offered a glimpse into the early stages of a newly funded Ingenious project. It was fascinating to witness engineers from diverse fields, including prosthetics and manufacturing, participating in public engagement and public speaking training. The session encouraged collaboration between public engagement professionals and engineers, allowing the engineers to develop their own ideas and communication skills. I had the opportunity to get hands-on during the training, even joining in the challenge of trying to pass as many straws as possible through a potato! It was a wonderful and interactive experience, complemented by the chance to explore Glasgow Science Centre and attend a school show on climate change.
- University of Dundee at the V&A Dundee: My journey continued across Scotland, as I made my way to the V&A’s new centre in Dundee, which opened in 2018. The visit encompassed a range of exciting activities, including a public celebration day, a teacher CPD session, a celebration for schools, and a family day over the weekend. Stepping into the V&A, I immersed myself in the lively atmosphere of an Ingenious project reaching its end, where celebration and reflection took centre stage. The event took an interactive exhibition format and students got the chance to engage with a panel of engineers. Witnessing the amazing questions posed by the students was a testament to the impact of the event. The event was in collaboration with the Association for BME Engineers (AFBE) which added a valuable dimension to the occasion, coinciding with the recognition of Ollie Folayan, the co-founder of AFBE, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Dundee. I then had the opportunity to pop into the V&A’s Tartan exhibition, immersing myself in the rich cultural fabric of Scotland. As my visit ended, I left Dundee with a sense of awe and inspiration, having met some incredible people alongside the celebration of remarkable achievements. Dundee proved to be a hub of creativity and innovation, leaving a great mark on my journey.
As well as meeting many passionate people through the course of these visits, I also gained valuable insights into the power of public engagement:
- Tailoring Engagement to Local Context: Each city had its unique characteristics, and each project embraced these differences. By tailoring their activities to the local context, projects were able to resonate more deeply with the communities they served. Understanding the specific needs and interests of each location was crucial in creating meaningful connections and sparking interest in STEM.
- Collaboration Drives Innovation: Collaboration was at the heart of many projects' success. By bringing together engineers, educators, artists, and community organisations, projects were able to tap into diverse perspectives and expertise. This collaborative approach fostered innovative ideas and led to the development of engaging, multidisciplinary experiences that captivated audiences.
- Leaving a Lasting Impact: Projects that aimed to create a lasting impact went beyond one-off events. They focused on building long-term relationships with communities and providing resources and follow-up activities to sustain
Applications for the next round of the Ingenious Awards are now open. Find out more and apply here: raeng.org.uk/ingenious and contact the Public Engagement team at [email protected]