Commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering for National Engineering Day today (1 November), the survey of 2,000 adults found that three-quarters of people think sustainable innovation and inventions are as important in mitigating climate change as changes to consumer behaviour (73%) or government legislation (71%).
Despite 42% of people saying they “don’t know much” about what people in engineering do or what the job involves, the respondents nevertheless understood its importance. 60% of people said engineering should be taught as part of the curriculum at secondary school, while over half (51%) said it should be taught in primary school.
The polling showed that some stereotypes about the profession still prevail, however, with nearly a fifth (18%) saying engineering roles are better suited to men. This misperception is most prominent in the younger generation, the survey found, with more than a quarter (28%) of 18-34-year-olds believing engineering jobs are better suited to men, compared to just 10% of over 55s. Similarly, 39% of 18-34-year-olds believed the myth that engineering jobs are mainly based in factories and building sites, compared to just 13% of over 55s.
“These misperceptions threaten to put people off careers in the profession, at a time when the UK needs many more engineers to meet its net zero goals,” the Royal Academy announcement said. “The UK energy sector needs to fill 400,000 roles by 2050, around 260,000 of which will be newly created. In the housing sector, retrofitting will require the recruitment of 30,000 technicians each year, at its peak in five to 10 years’ time. This is on top of ‘business as usual’ needs.”
To tackle those issues, the Royal Academy has set out to show that everyone can be an engineer. Today, it invited the public to vote for the winner of the Everyday Engineering competition, which it has been running throughout October in partnership with Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden. The competition invited the public to release their ‘inner engineer’ by submitting ideas that could make daily life more sustainable.
The three finalists, announced today, are:
Eleria's menstrual cup portable cleaning and sterilising case, invented by Bristol’s Kira Goode (24) and Monica Wai (24)
Eleria is a portable cleaning and sterilising case for menstrual cups, aimed at making the process quicker, simpler and more discreet. The invention is aimed at making reusable menstrual cups more practical and appealing than less sustainable alternatives.
Phyto, a hanging pendant light made from 3D-printed ‘nuisance’ algae-based bioplastic, invented by London’s Sam Bird Smith (23)
The Phyto Light is made from ‘nuisance’ algae, which can damage surrounding marine life when allowed to spread out of control. The algae is extracted from the water before being dried and processed into bioplastic, leaving behind clean water and a healthy ecosystem. The process is designed to create a new sustainable material while protecting marine life and providing clean water.
EcoPonics, a customisable vertical farming unit for gardens, invented by Bristol’s Anvith Sujay (16)
EcoPonic is designed to save space and boost efficiency in gardens, allowing more plants to be grown per area, without the need for fertilisers. Each 0.5m cell has room for multiple plants and contains a pink LED light, allowing for the fastest rate of photosynthesis. A piping system allows for water to be easily changed.
-
The social media vote will decide the winning entry, with Deborah Meaden announcing the winner on her social channels this weekend. The winners will get the opportunity to meet Deborah and receive her advice on their idea, as well as an award from the Royal Academy and a mentoring session from its Enterprise Hub.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy, said: “It’s been brilliant to see such creative and original ideas for sustainable inventions and to have discovered our three ‘everyday engineer’ finalists. I’m delighted to see people getting into the engineering mindset and coming up with such good ideas, and I encourage everyone to vote for their favourites.
“There has never been a more urgent need for engineering expertise to provide practical solutions and help to build a sustainable future. We must continue to challenge the myths about who can be an engineer, and we hope that – through National Engineering Day – we can raise awareness of the vital role of engineers in society and encourage more young people across the nation to consider this rewarding career path.”
Deborah Meaden said: “Sustainable inventions and the businesses that come out of them will be the key to meeting the UK’s net zero goals and tackling climate change. These inventions would not be possible without the engineers who create them.
“It’s been fantastic to be part of a competition that embraces these values, and I’ve loved seeing the ideas people came up with. These finalists showcase that everyone has the capability to think like an engineer and create something that positively impacts both people and planet.”
Visit This is Engineering’s social media channels to vote for the winner.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.