Education - Teachers and Careers Advisors
Manufacturing technologies and engineering are high-tech, sophisticated and exciting industries and perfect for capturing students imagination and creativity. The use of manufacturing technologies in the classroom enables pupils to gain a better understanding of modern engineering processes and ultimately to create amazing and in some cases commercially viable final products as part of school projects. The resources on this page a designed to help you integrate manufacturing based engineering into your lessons as part of the curriculum and to help you build links with local manufacturing technology companies.
Link up with local companies
Interested in linking up with local manufacturing technology companies to enable your students to find out more and possibly get hands on experience of modern engineering based manufacturing? Click here to fill out a simple form and we’ll introduce you to any local members who have expressed an interest in working with schools, colleges and universities.
TDI Challenge
Run by the MTA the Technology Design Innovation (TDI) Challenge is an annual national competition which seeks out the most innovative designs created by students as part of their secondary school coursework. The competition takes place every July. For further details on the competition - click here.
Twelve talented youngsters (GCSE and A-level students) showcased their work at the TDI Challenge Final 2010 at Yamazaki Mazak, Worcester - the tenth anniversary of the competition. The finalists, from the length and breadth of the UK, presented their projects to a panel of industry judges. You can see the press release from 2010's Final here.
Imagineering Clubs and Fairs
Imagineering was set up by retired MTA Committee member, Bob Shanks. The after-school clubs were created to encourage primary school children to enjoy and develop STEM skills. The success of these clubs has seen them spread rapidly across the UK and there are now 150 nationwide. A further 100 are expected to be created over the next few years. MTA sponsor and support the clubs’ toolkits, as well as promoting this grass-roots work amongst our membership.
Imagineering Fairs take place across the country around four times per year – the largest being Stoneleigh Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Activities and support from businesses attract thousands of visitors. See www.imagineeringweb.co.uk for more details.
MACH Exhibition visits
As owners and organisers of the UK's premier manufacturing event, MTA have a unique opportunity to demonstrate advanced manufacturing products and processes to schools, colleges and universities by inviting them to the MACH trade show, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham in April biennially (even years).
Over 400 exhibitors, many supplying aerospace, automotive and medical industries, will demonstrate the latest in engineering technology at the show. Students and teachers are given the opportunity to see these technologies and understand how they contribute to our everyday lives.
Keep an eye on the website (www.MACHexhibition.com) for details of how to register.
