MecWash introduces next generation to the wonders of engineering

Stuart Gilbert, Production Engineer at MecWash, has been helping to open local school children’s eyes to the wonderful possibilities afforded by engineering through the Imagineering programme.

Stuart first encountered Imagineering, a national initiative aimed at ‘inspiring engineers of the future’, at the MACH trade show in 2014. He approached MecWash’s Managing Director, John Pattison, with a proposal to get involved and John agreed that MecWash would fund the kits and tools needed for the project and Stuart could visit the participating local school once a week to run the after-school club.

The club has been running at Stuart’s local primary school, Bengeworth CE Academy in Evesham, since September 2014 and is a resounding success, as Year 4 class teacher Becki Churchill, confirms, “The after-school club has been thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Each week they have looked forward to the sessions with great anticipation and excitement.

“They have been extremely inquisitive about engineering and have had constant questions to ask! Stuart has a lovely manner with the children, always being extremely enthusiastic and patient towards the varying levels of ability within the group.”

Guided by Stuart, the 10 club members made helicopters and compasses to demonstrate different theories used in engineering. Stuart elaborates, “I talked to the children about the principles of lift, thrust and gravity for the helicopter project, and magnetic properties of the Earth and the materials we used for the compasses, how they work and how they can be used for navigation.

“Explaining the principles in terms the children understood was an education in itself, but they are so keen to learn it is encouraging - they had amazing patience with me!”

Each Imagineering club lasts for one term and then a new set of children are offered the opportunity to get involved. There are more than 100 clubs running in schools throughout the UK – each led by a teacher or volunteer engineer.

MecWash has manufactured wash systems for engineering businesses for more than 20 years and exports products to more than 25 countries around the World.

Ensuring the company is able to recruit staff with the correct skills required is vital to its ongoing success, as John Pattison explains, “We employ more than a dozen engineers in our design, production and service departments.

“MecWash recognises the importance of ensuring that the next generation understands the vast array of exciting careers that can be found in engineering and manufacturing. Our involvement in the Imagineering project is our way of investing in the UK’s future workforce.”

Stuart has more than 25 years’ experience in engineering roles – he began his career with Machine Tools in 1990 and has worked with MecWash since 2012.

He says, “Running the Imagineering Club has been both challenging and fun. It is extremely rewarding to see the children actively engaged in measuring, making and understanding the projects and how the principles they demonstrate are applicable to real life situations. An opening conversation with the children asking ‘What is engineering?’ yielded some very interesting replies!”

For further information about the Imagineering initiative please visit www.imagineering.org.uk.