Apprentices redesign STEM charity product design to help hands-on engineering at home
A team of apprentices at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre has redesigned a DIY hydraulic arm kit so an educational charity can continue to reach schoolchildren despite COVID-19 restrictions preventing school visits.
Twelve learners undertook the project for the Imagineering Foundation in partnership with engineering experts from the MTC as part of their MTC Apprenticeships Level 3 programme.
The aim of the project was to redesign the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) kits’ components, packaging and guidance to enable parents, teachers and schoolchildren to buy the kits from large online retailers.
The apprentices worked in small teams to make the kits more environmentally and financially sustainable. They also created instruction media so the kits can be completed independently, away from the classroom, and without the support of Imagineering staff, as well as marketing material to promote the product.
Their final design is now in production so it can be CE marked against the latest criteria. Once certified, the first batch of commercial kits will made available for sale.
MTC apprentice Caitlin-May Cunningham said the project was valuable to her development as well as tackling an important issue.
"Being part of this project has been a fascinating journey. I’ve applied the skills and knowledge I’ve gained so far in my apprenticeship to fulfil a real client’s brief! I’ve also gained lots of new experience along the way, and it’s been really satisfying to have the opportunity to work through every stage of an end-to-end project so early in my career. It means I’ve got a great head start for when I return to my on-the-job training," she said.
Before the pandemic, Imagineering visited schools throughout the UK, giving children the chance to experience hands-on engineering activities. With schools closed or subject to COVID-19 restrictions, Imagineering needed to find an alternative way to distribute the kits and to continue to inspire the next generation to consider a career in engineering.
Bob Shanks, chairman of Imagineering, said he had been very impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the MTC team and the innovative thinking the apprentices had brought to the project.
"This is an ideal kit to encourage young people to engage with STEM activity and the whole project development has provided fresh impetus to Imagineering's work. We look forward with great anticipation to the next project and future working collaborations."
The project was funded by the MTC and has been so successful that further funding has already been made available for learners in MTC Apprenticeships’ 2020 cohort to develop a second kit. The team is hoping to make the initiative a permanent part of the MTC apprenticeship programme.
Senior research engineer, Sarah Heaven, who oversaw the project for the MTC, said the apprentices had added great value to the team.
"The apprentices brought new ideas to the project that have made the kit more accessible and relevant to our target audience. In particular, their social media and gaming input will increase the product’s accessibility, helping to promote STEM skills and careers throughout the next generation. They have also explored and learned from approaches that more seasoned engineers might by-pass, which has resulted in a successful final prototype that has been robustly researched throughout its design,” she said.
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