Year 5 visit Cambridge University's Department of Engineering

On Monday, as part of the St. Mary's Junior School specialist-taught Computer Science and STEM Curriculum programmes, our Year 5 girls visited the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering. They were given a guided tour of the department in order to find out about the enormous range of teaching and research activities that take place there, as well as about the opportunities that a qualification in engineering can provide.

The girls examined wheeled robots designed and built by undergraduates that use ultrasonic, colour and light sensing in a very similar way to the CrumbleBots that all of the girls have learnt how to program at school in Computer Science lessons. They also looked at the mechanical engineering test facilities where large structures such as bridges are designed and load tested. 

A definite highlight was the time spent looking at the latest developments in robotics, especially robotic hands constructed from 3D printed components similar to the bones and tendons in a human hand, as well as a robotic arm carrying out automated experiments into how different shaped objects fall.

The girls watched a 3D printer in action producing plastic components, and a plasma cutter slicing through sheets of steel in intricate patterns. They also learnt about attempts to make the world's most efficient solar powered vehicle and a robotic machine designed to pick lettuces!

It was a fascinating visit that has hopefully inspired the girls to think about higher level qualifications and possibly careers in STEM related subjects in the future. 

We would like to thank the staff at the Department of Engineering and especially Dr. Josie Hughes, for all of their hard work in providing our girls with this amazing opportunity.