Our STEM ambassadors, Andrea and Jonny were recently busy teaming up with some pupils from a local high school, Ashton on Mersey School, supporting them on their chosen project a ‘Zero Waste World’ on their Engineering Development Trust (EDT) challenges.
They were helping them with their Industrial Cadets Bronze level accreditation, a quality benchmark for outreach and education programmes, helping build pathways from education to employment.
Typically, schools submit one to two teams of four to six students in years 8 and 9. The project is completed over 12 weeks and is largely student-led with the support of a designated teacher and assisted by a qualified person from the engineering sector.
Pupils taking part in the Industrial Cadets Bronze accreditation develop essential skills for learning, life and work, along with helping inform them of potential future career paths and the exciting STEM opportunities available to them.
The accreditation process helps them develop essential skills, not just in the STEM sector but in almost all other areas of professional, and often personal, conduct:
- Teamwork and communication
- Project planning and management
- Time management
- Research and exploration
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
At week 12, students will undergo an assessment conducted by a professional panel, where their work is assessed. After completion, students, teachers, mentors and industry representatives are invited to a celebration event in the Summer to recognise their work and to engage with other teams and professionals.
For more information about the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) visit: https://www.etrust.org.uk/
