Engineers Ireland, STEPS to Engineering programme, is calling on primary schools in Limerick and around the country to register their classes for this year’s ‘Xperience Engineering’ competition before the November 18 deadline. ‘Xperience Engineering’ is STEPS to engineering’s primary school initiative. Over the course of four months, participants will be given a unique opportunity to explore how engineering surrounds them in their locality and how engineering affects their daily lives in a fun and interactive way.
The project is divided into two categories, the first targeting 3rd-4th class and the second focusing on 5th-6th class. Only one class per school can register and the top 20 projects from each of the categories are then chosen to represent their school at the ‘Xperience Engineering’ National Final in The Helix, Dublin in June 2010. These class groups will be in with the chance to be crowned ‘Junior or Senior Engineering Class of Ireland’.
John Power, chartered engineer and director general of Engineers Ireland, said: “I’d encourage all schools in Limerick and around the country to get involved in this year’s ‘Xperience Engineering’ competition. Last year almost 200 schools around the country entered the competition and we’re hoping that this year more of you will apply. At Engineers Ireland we are always looking at ways to encourage students in Ireland to develop their minds and showcase their creativity. ‘Xperience Engineering’ has done that and I believe that the experience of the competition will inspire students to look into studying engineering and science at a later level.”
The first step of the competition is to be given a theme from Engineers Ireland, last year the theme was ‘Engineers Save Lives’. This year the theme is ‘Engineers Shape our Future’. Over a four month period, participants are then encouraged to explore their locality for an object or topic that links in with the chosen theme. Step by step guidelines are provided on what each group should include in the project and tips on how to gain extra credits for your project will also be passed on.
The ‘Xperience Engineering’ competition is just one of the activities run by the Engineers Ireland STEPS to engineering programme, designed to encourage students to explore the world of science and engineering, and inform them of the fantastic career opportunities in engineering. For information on how to get involved in this year’s ‘Xperience Engineering’ competition call a member of the STEPS to engineering team on 01 6651340 or email them at [email protected]. Entries close on November 18.
