Case Study: Inspiring Future Engineers Through the Primary Engineer Grading Days
Introduction:
Since 2012, the Primary Engineer Leaders Award competition has ignited the imaginations of UK pupils aged 3 to 19, challenging them with a simple yet powerful question “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”. This innovative competition empowers young people to identify real-world problems and develop creative solutions, fostering crucial communication and writing skills through detailed illustrations and persuasive letters explaining their ideas.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Leaders Award reached new heights, engaging a remarkable 1,608 engineering and technology professionals who generously volunteered their time across a range of flexible and rewarding activities. This case study focuses on the impactful experience of these volunteers, particularly through their involvement in the regional grading days.
Primary Engineer’s regional grading days offer a unique and engaging volunteering experience. These events bring together engineers and industry professionals to collaboratively review and grade the competition entries. The process involves:
- Hands-on Evaluation: Volunteers meticulously read and assess each entry, gaining firsthand insight into the creative problem-solving abilities of young minds.
- Collaborative Discussion: Working in teams, volunteers engage in thoughtful discussions to determine the appropriate grade for each entry: Pass, Merit, Distinction, or Distinction Shortlisted.
- Direct Impact: Every pupil who participates receives a personalised, named certificate reflecting their achievement, directly acknowledging their effort and creativity.
The Benefits for Volunteers:
Beyond contributing to a vital educational initiative, volunteering at a Primary Engineer grading day offers a wealth of benefits for the participating professionals:
- Deeper Understanding of the Competition: Provides invaluable context and insight into the Leaders Award before potentially engaging in other competition outreach activities.
- Something a bit different: A manageable time commitment offering a stimulating and engaging alternative to typical daily work.
- Non-School Facing Engagement: A unique opportunity to contribute to STEM outreach without talking to children!
- Team Activity and Collaborative Discussion: Volunteers work together in small teams to grade and enthusiastically share the ideas
- Networking Opportunities: Facilitates connections with professionals from various businesses and industries
- CPD and Volunteer Time Recognition: Volunteer hours contribute towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD), chartership requirements, and company Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives.
- See the world through children’s eyes: Offers a fascinating glimpse and insight into the imaginative and problem-solving approaches of young minds, providing fresh perspectives and inspiration.
- Inspirational and Entertaining Experience: Volunteers are often amazed and delighted by the creativity and ingenuity displayed in the children’s entries.
Volunteer Testimonials:
The positive impact of the grading days is clearly reflected in the feedback from participating volunteers:
“This was my first Volunteering experience. It was fantastic, one of the funniest and most thought-provoking days ever. Some of the kids suggestions were hilarious, some sad, some sweet. There was a lot of thought and a lot of love gone into many of those suggestions. Instructors were great, supportive and helpful, thoroughly enjoyable day” – Ian, Thales
“It was the genuine joy of seeing what a young mind can create. To see that children of all the ages are able to think about a problem and come up with a solution is wonderful to see. Thank you” – Sam, Thales
“Writing a letter to a pupil who impressed me with their idea. I hope it makes their day. It’s great to support these initiatives because I’ve personally benefited from STEM ambassadors volunteering their time, so I would like to inspire young children” – Daniel, Siemens Energy
“It was such a fun experience that really makes you take a step back from your day to day work. I’ve been thoroughly inspired by the ideas pupils have come up with and loved the creativity. They quite often tugged at my heartstrings which made it so much harder to grade. It was so refreshing to transport into the minds of these pupils for a day. Definitely would do again next year, a really cool competition. My favourite designs were those that the stroke stopper and sign language translator” – Panxin, Rolls Royce SMR
“Absolutely great day, so well organised. Staff are so friendly and easy to work with and get along with. The day went smoothly and we managed to grade everything that was given out on the day” – Josh RRSMR
“Excellent day, well organised and engaging. I intend to continue my support and engagement with Primary Engineer and will recommend to my colleagues they consider supporting” – Michael, CAA
“Seeing how the imagination of these kids work is so interesting and comical at times! Hopefully this project can encourage young people in to the world of engineering when it comes round to choosing a career.” – Josh Housley RR SMR
Recognition and Support:
As a token of appreciation for their invaluable contribution, Primary Engineer welcomes volunteers as ‘Engineer Inspirers’ – part of a growing community dedicated to supporting the future of engineering. Primary Engineer actively supports volunteer involvement by providing recognition for professional development, charterships, corporate volunteer time, and company CSR initiatives following every engagement. Plus volunteers receive a certificate for their involvement.
Grading days are a self-register involvement and you can join us by visiting here. Alternatively, register as a volunteer on our Leaders Award website here and be kept in the loop about all outreach opportunities for the competition.