Y9 Engineering Transition Event
On 7th and 8th July, we hosted 25 Y9 students for a two-day transition event in the Engineering Centre.
Although many the of students were from Abbeywood, some have also applied to come here to study in Y10 from schools across the Olympus Academy Trust. These students will be studying a double-engineering course in September, following separate design and manufacturing specialisms. The engineering courses have a specific focus on practical outcomes and are heavily weighted towards coursework.
Engineering Centre July 2024
The two days were action packed and students enjoyed a hands-on, practical experience where they made a fully functional desktop LED lamp, manufactured from a range of materials including aluminium sheet, pine and acrylic. They also had the opportunity to tackle some electronics as they soldered together a simple circuit to power the LED strip using a 5V USB supply.
Many students were new to the engineering environment but they tackled the challenges really well and had the opportunity to use some complex tools and machinery including a sheet bender and guillotine, drilling jigs and laser cutter. They did this with confidence and success - all managing to take home a working prototype as a taste of what is to come next year.
In September, we have a new member of staff, Mr Askew, joining us from The City of Bristol's Advanced Engineering Centre. Mr Askew comes from an aeronautical engineering background and will be involved in teaching the Y10 manufacturing groups, alongside Mr Williams and Ms Pachner.
We are looking forward to working alongside our new Y10 cohort in September, especially with the refurbished workshops and new CAD and Design Suites, which will add an extra dimension to the curriculum.
Aerospace Careers Programme Roadshow - 9th July
On 9th July, Abbeywood School hosted Dr Michael Smith and his team of tech experts when they brought their travelling roadshow to the Engineering Centre for the day.
Over 140 Y8 and Y9 students from Abbeywood, Winterbourne and Patchway took part in a morning of presentations about the engineering industry and an afternoon of interactive sessions where they got to try their hand on some pretty advanced technology.
The morning session was designed to broaden students' appreciation and understanding of new technologies such as 'Big Data', 'The Internet of Things', nanotechnology, virtual and augmented reality and the aerospace industry. In the afternoon, students rotated around 4 hands-on activities where they were able to fly a drone simulator; use a VR/AR headset and controls in a virtual plane cockpit; watch someone augment the design of a 6th generation fighter plane in a virtual environment and also learn about routes into engineering and construction from AtkinsRealis.
The day was a great success and students were able to practically experience different sectors and technologies within engineering that would normally be out of their reach. Even Mr Dilley got to 'have a go' with a Meta headset as he sat in a virtual aeroplane cockpit, trying to make sense of the controls. Sadly, his plane didn't take off...
We are very grateful to the Schools Aerospace Careers Programme for putting the event together. Dr Smith and his team will be back in December for a similar day aimed at Y11-13 students who are considering careers across a range of engineering sectors.
You can find out more from the Aerospace Careers Programme on their website www.aerospacecareersprogramme.co.uk
Mr Williams
Head of Engineering
Abbeywood Community School
