Solve Electronic Engineering challenges

Linked to the Physics and D&T curriculum, pupils will work together to explore Electronics in real world contexts. In teams, pupils will choose their own projects, relating to climate change, health, travel or entertainment.

Showcase the findings

Throughout the course of a year, pupils will delve into their chosen challenge. During the Summer term, pupils will have an opportunity to share their project alongside the Great Science Share for Schools. What’s more, the UKESF will hold a celebration day in June for pupils to showcase their work.

Fun, free, flexible and supported

Pupils don’t need prior experience of Electronics, they just need curiosity! Teachers can choose to run the project with whole classes, or smaller groups such as a club. Pupils can take as much or as little time as they need on the project. UKESF support for teachers is available too!

About the programme

UKESF Engineer the Future is a free programme for schools, designed to engage Year 8 students with Electronics through meaningful project work and the opportunity to share their work with others.

Students work together to solve Electronic Engineering challenges, linked to the Physics and D&T curriculum, and present their projects to their peers and the wider school community.

It’s flexible to participate, and pupils can spend as much or as little time on their project as they need. Some teachers dedicate some time within their classes for the challenge, others dedicate time within an intensive period, such as British Science Week.

Choosing a Challenge

From ‘Generating human-powered energy’ to ‘Design a step counter’ to ‘Build a mini dance game’ – UKESF Engineer the Future is designed to demonstrate how Electronics within the curriculum connects to real-world contexts.

Pupil projects must contain some Electronics, and link to one of the following categories: climate change, health, travel or entertainment.

You and your pupils may already have ideas of what your projects could look like but if you’d prefer more structure, examples of challenges and the associated outcomes can be found here. Our team are also available during the Autumn term to help refine and give feedback on project ideas, just get in touch via [email protected].

The programme aims to engage pupils from all backgrounds with topics which affect their lives.

Timeline

Support for Schools

  • Digital resources for both students and teachers
  • A £400 bursary per school can be claimed to help with equipment, teacher training or cover costs.
  • The UKESF Education team will be available throughout the project to answer questions and offer additional support.
  • Travel bursaries will be available for schools bringing a team to the celebration event.

Celebrating Students’ Work

Once their projects are completed, we encourage schools to give students the opportunity to share their work with each other, alongside the million students in 58 countries who have participated in the Great Science Share for Schools since 2016.

‘Share’ events can be as small or large as teachers choose. Often, teachers use this an opportunity to raise the profile of their subject and engage with the wider school community, through inviting families, governors and SLT to attend. However, the format is up to you and what works for your school. Find out more about sharing and the approaches other schools have used here.

Schools can also choose one team to take part in our celebration day in June. At the celebration, teams from all the schools taking part will share their projects with each other, alongside fun, hands-on activities and opportunities to meet representatives from local industry. This event is free and travel bursaries are available.

FAQ's

Why should we take part?

Project based work is engaging for all students and can have the biggest positive impact on those who identify less strongly with the subject originally. Sharing their projects has many benefits to students and allows teachers to raise the profile of their subject and engage the wider community. Electronics is an important industry in the UK and projects like this one help young people to picture themselves as being suited to a career in STEM, as well as building essential skills.

How much does it cost to take part?

Engineer the Future is completely free and each school is entitled to receive a £400 bursary to help cover any costs associated with the project.

When is the closing date?

Please let us know you’ll be taking part as soon as possible. Students can work on their projects at any point in the Autumn and Spring terms. We suggest that they are finished with their projects by the Easter break, ready to share in the Summer term.

How much time will the projects take?

You can give students as much time as you like to work on their projects. Some schools may spend several hours of class time over a number of weeks or run the programme as a regular club, while others may choose to use a more intensive period, such as British Science Week.

How many students should be in a team?

That’s up to you but we suggest no more than 6 students in each group, to ensure everyone has plenty of opportunities to contribute.

For the full list of FAQs, click here

Please note that this project is currently in a trial phase and open to schools by invitation only. If you would like to register your interest in taking part in future phases, please fill out our short expression of interest form here.