The Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) is taking part in TeenTech, a series of events designed to get the next generation involved in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Described as an initiative designed to help “the ‘X Factor’ generation consider a career in industry”, lecturers, engineers and current students have come together to devise three experience days focused on creative thinking, product manufacture and marketing.
Open to schools throughout the UK, each event will cater for up to 50 young people aged between 13 and 17.
AME’s manufacturing course director, Ian Wilson explained: “We have always known the importance of engaging with pupils at an early age, as trying to convince them about the benefits of a career in manufacturing and engineering at 17 is too late.
“TeenTech is very high profile thanks to its CEO and television personality, Maggie Philbin, and is well respected in education. It also fits our approach at AME and hopefully will bring our own innovation, technology and expertise to this year’s programme.”
According to Wilson, the initiative will give teachers the chance to “lead their student groups through the process of generating a viable idea”, before looking at how that can be transformed into a prototype, and finally how it can be marketed and sold to a target audience.
A collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing Group, AME is championing a new higher education model for manufacturing degrees, offering a combination of activity-led teaching, product development and research.
A dedicated 1,700 sqm manufacturing and R&D hub is now open and home to the first cohort of 22 undergraduates and five postgraduate students.
