AMEY’S BRIDGE ENGINEERING CHALLENGE SUPPORTS DUNFERMLINE HIGH PUPILS FUTURE STEM CAREERS

Girls from Dunfermline High School received inspiration to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) after taking part in Amey’s annual Challenge Cup.

Amey’s north east team hosted the Challenge Cup event for 14 pupils from Dunfermline High School at Caledonian House in Perth.

The event is run to coincide with International Women in Engineering Day and is used to showcase engineering to female pupils who have an interest in STEM.

While girls study STEM subjects at school just as much as boys, there is an ongoing imbalance when it comes to undergraduate degrees and jobs in STEM industries.

Only 24% of the STEM workforce in the UK is female - and as a major engineering company Amey is determined to improve gender diversity in the industry.

As part of the Challenge Cup the Dunfermline High pupils were tasked with solving a real-life engineering problem.

They faced a bridge building challenge which included a real-life bridge collapse scenario. In teams they were asked to create a design for a new bridge using a Knex Kit.

The girls looked at all aspects of an engineering project including planning, budgeting and managing risk.

They had to develop a plan for design and build, prepare a cost schedule and manage spend against that budget.

They then had to present their designs to a client representative, incorporate feedback such a potential budget cuts, build a mock-up of their bridge and present to a panel of judges.

Amey supported the teams throughout the competition with project managers and designers, assigning them to each group to guide and nurture the creative problem-solving process.

Amey’s Major Bridge Manager Amy Easson, who sat on the judging panel, said: “The Challenge Cup is a great way to open young people’s eyes to all the possibilities of a future career with Amey and in the world of STEM.

“The girls showed great imagination and enthusiasm to tackle the bridge building scenario we set them and delivered some truly innovative approaches to bridge design and construction.

“All of our Amey volunteers get so much satisfaction from taking part and helping the pupils bring their ideas to fruition, making it a fun day for us all to be a part of.”

Dunfermline High School teacher in science, DET and STEM promotion, Louise Hedley-Forrest, said: “The girls really engaged with the project and seeing just how much they developed in confidence and ability from morning to the last presentation was truly exceptional.”

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