Ford, Dunton Kickstarts Inspiration for Mini-Engineers with Primary Engineer Training Day
On 31st January, for the ninth consecutive year, Ford Dunton Campus hosted a collaborative event where 31 teachers from 19 schools joined forces with 30 Ford engineers for a hands-on, fun-filled Teacher’s Training Day designed to instill and promote STEM and engineering careers/passion among children from local schools in Essex.
The Vehicles Programme, developed by Primary Engineer and funded by Ford UK, is led by Buki Okoro and Stela Boneva along with the support of Ford engineers and aims to bring STEM-based professional development to primary schools.
Ford’s partnership with Primary Engineer addresses the challenges of limited awareness and distorted perceptions of engineering among young people. This STEM initiative aims to bridge this gap, recognizing a teacher’s pivotal role in inspiring and guiding students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We acknowledge that not everyone has the same access and privilege to pursue STEM,” said Buki. “Together, we are co-creating a narrative of innovation and inspiration, shaping a future where mobility is not just about vehicles but about breaking barriers and creating opportunities for everyone. Our STEM partnerships transcend traditional boundaries, fostering a diverse and inclusive landscape in engineering.”
Chris Rochester, Director of Primary Engineer, told @Ford, “Over the past nine years, our extraordinary partnership with Ford has created a powerful synergy, allowing Ford to meaningfully engage with primary teachers and pupils. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact on young minds, transforming perceptions and paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future in engineering careers.
Participants actively engaged in constructing shoebox cars, learnt engineering methods, and witnessed the marvels of electric motor-driven pulley systems. Tony Law,a retired Ford engineer after 29 years of service, who is now an Assistant Teacher at Northlands said, “The collaborative event today, where we learned to build a vehicle with the support of this skilled crew, has significantly boosted confidence and enriched our STEM activities/ focus.”
As of 2022, Ford has reached out to 65 schools in Essex, involving 140 teachers, more than 3,483 children, and 45 Ford volunteers from the Engineering team. Reflecting on the partnership and its benefits on her students, Aimee Walker, Deputy Head Teacher at Chelmsford Learning Partnership, shared: “Partnerships like these have been beyond transformative for our school, particularly for our disadvantaged and underprivileged students, who may otherwise not consider STEM.”
The original news article can be found on the Ford website, all copy and photo credits to them.