Members of the Institution joined forces with representatives from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) to host the electrifying Big Balloon Debate, on 9 March at One Birdcage Walk.
The event gave 14-15 year-old school students, and their teachers, an insight into what engineers do, where an engineering career could take them, and the various disciplines they could choose to specialise in.
It also helped to challenge any misconceptions they had about engineering. The event was well attended by students from Chislehurst School for Girls.
Seven young engineers each gave a 10-minute presentation and attempted to convince students that their engineering discipline was the best. They highlighted their discipline’s most impressive technological achievements, and how they have changed the way we live. Students were also given an opportunity to ask questions and vote for their favourite engineer.
The speakers and their topics were:
- Alex Scott Whitby, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): “How drawing (and the pencil) has changed the way we live”
- Andrei Roibu, Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS): “The aerospace industry and autonomous flight”
- Davy Thielens, IET: “Mobile phones”
- Mark Renshaw, Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE): “Shelter”
- Michelle Hicks and Reem Boujrad, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE): “How civil engineering develops smart cities and smart transportation”
- Raheel Qamar, the Institution: “Mechanical engineering in power generation, transport, household items, renewable energy and sport”
Institution member, Roshni Wijesekera AMIMechE, and the IET’s Li-Wen Yip organised the debate. Roshni is a fire engineer working for AECOM and joined the Institution while studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield. She has been on the Institution’s Young Member Panel for a year.
Roshni said that this type of event definitely benefited young people, especially girls. She said: “Our target audience was Key Stage 4 and 5 school students. We were delighted that, as shown in all of their feedback forms, the students from Chislehurst School for Girls learned a great deal to encourage them to think more deeply about a career in engineering.
“The presentations revealed how enthusiastic each speaker was about their subject area – and that is what inspired the audience. The girls asked about, and got a perspective on, women in engineering.”
According to Roshni many of the female students came to One Birdcage Walk with only a vague idea of what engineering was, and doubted the day would be interesting. Feedback after the event showed their opinions had been changed.
For example, Florrie Burke of Chislehurst School for Girls, said: “I was surprised at how different engineering areas have to work together. I’ve gained an awareness of the role of engineers – I didn’t realise how integral their role is in our lives.”
Student, Lily Faulkner, said: “I’ve learnt a lot, and found that there are different kinds of engineering that I didn’t know about.” She suggested more women speakers would be an improvement for a future event.
One of the Big Balloon Debate speakers, Institution member Raheel Qamar MIMechE, believes passionately in communicating the message that engineering is not only a rewarding career, but its value is seen in everything that we do.
His presentation at the event gave students a wide-ranging insight into mechanical engineering. He highlighted how the wheel was integral to so many inventions and mechanisms, and linked it to the Institution’s flagship event, Formula Student. He also explained to students that degree study was not the only route into engineering, but apprenticeships and other training were also available.
Raheel said: “The event gave the panel an opportunity to demonstrate how all the fields interact with each other to ensure projects are successful. Engineers have specialisms but we don’t work in a vacuum: we collaborate, we need versatility, business sense and imagination, and that makes us very employable!”
According to Roshni, the presentation from RIBA’s Alex Scott Whitby won students’ votes, however, every presenter conveyed passion and enthusiasm for their discipline, and opened up a range of possible careers for the audience.
More information
Find out how to get involved with the
Young Members Board. Or find out about engineering
events near you, organised by your local area committee.