Baxi brings engineering to life in the classroom

Baxi is once again teaming up with Primary Engineer to bring STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) into classrooms in Preston and inspire a new generation of engineers.

For the fourth year running, a group of the company’s engineers are spending the next few months working with teachers in participating primary schools as they deliver the Primary Engineer Construction project to children.

Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation connecting engineering and technology professionals like Baxi with schools. The programme kicked off in October as local teachers, supported by Baxi engineers and the Primary Engineer team, were introduced to this year’s construction projects: a shoebox tipper truck for the lower primary years and a lighthouse tower with an electrical circuit for upper primary schoolchildren.

Peter Short, Quality Project Lead at Baxi, says: “The initial session was all about meeting with the teachers so that together we become comfortable with building these fun but reasonably challenging construction kits.

“For me, the goal is to help the children understand what an engineer does, the multiple career options open to them in this sector and the skills that are required to begin a career in engineering. And it goes without saying that my ultimate aim is to inspire them to become engineers!”

Baxi’s engineers and the teachers will take these skills and knowledge back to the classrooms to begin the programme with the children.

Research has shown that STEM aspirations and perceptions are formed during the primary years, making early engagement with pupils vital to overcome the skills crisis with a more diverse talent force.