Wednesday, 21 December 2022
Hundreds of schoolchildren from across the county have been learning about ‘The Future of Transportation” as part of the Faculty of Engineering’s Christmas Lecture at the University of Nottingham.
Hosted by a different department each year, the Christmas Lecture aims to inspire the next generation of students to continue with STEM subjects and, eventually, pursue a career in the industry.
The day was hosted by Professor James Bonnyman from the university’s Electrical and Electronics Department. He said: “We need people to help us solve the difficult challenges we’re facing around decarbonisation, the impact of transport on air quality, the balance between public and private transport, and making sure we design transport systems that suit the needs of everyone.
All fields of engineering - from electrical engineering to transform the way we deliver and distribute power through to mechanical systems to design future vehicles, and everything in between – are critical to delivering the transport systems of the future, and we need to engage the next generation of engineers to be able to realise these ambitions.
More than 250 secondary students from eight schools attended the event, where they also had the opportunity to engage with a variety of interactive STEM activities, including a virtual reality experience hosted by Rolls Royce.
Students were provided with an insight into the real-life applications of STEM at Rolls-Royce, through an interactive jet engine build challenge, hands-on activities from their submarines business, and an immersive virtual reality experience to explore their amazing jet engine architecture, all led by STEM ambassadors from the company.
Sarah Sharples, Professor of Human Factors at the University of Nottingham and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport, delivered the lecture. She said: “I’m delighted to have hosted this year’s Engineering Christmas Lecture. Transport technologies are undergoing major changes that will transform the way we live and travel, and we need the best science and engineering expertise to help us.
I always enjoy talking and hearing about new forms of power, new methods of transport, and thinking about how, when, and why we travel. I hope that some of those who attended have been inspired to think about ways they can use their science and engineering expertise to help us design the transport system of the future.
Louise Caunt, Careers and Employer Engagement Lead at South Nottinghamshire Academy, said: “South Nottinghamshire Academy is keen to offer a range of STEM experiences, both in and out of the classroom, and we encourage our students to learn more about higher education and where it can lead. We are passionate about engaging with inspirational leaders from the world of work, who can share their knowledge and help to develop career ideas, because STEM never sleeps, and futuristic STEM jobs are the exciting vacancies of the future for our young people to consider.
“This event for our year nine students provides an excellent follow on from their year eight STEM Week, which took place earlier this year. An opportunity to stretch curiosity and actively develop interpersonal and collaboration skills, to help them develop through life. It's important to keep talking about STEM, it teaches critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills and instils a passion for innovation that fuels success across a variety of tasks and disciplines.
“As we head into the holidays, what better time to take students out of school to experience a great event at a prestigious university? I’d like to thank the University of Nottingham for having us.”
Story credits
More information is available from Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7156.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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