News

In the summer of 2023, The Smallpeice Trust offered a diverse range of summer courses aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers and STEM enthusiasts. From hands-on engineering experiences to virtual explorations of cutting-edge technologies, our courses are an excellent opportunity for young minds to explore their interests and passions. Our programmes are designed to ignite students’ curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the exciting world of engineering.

Diverse Offerings for Aspiring Engineers

Our summer courses were more extensive and more accessible than ever before! We delivered 25 events during the summer of 2023, which ranged from in-person residential experiences to virtual programmes, ensuring that students from various backgrounds and locations had the chance to participate. Our Cyber Security residential course, held at Royal Holloway University, kickstarted our summer programme back in April.

Throughout the summer, we offered an impressive lineup, including a non-residential Aerospace Engineering course, a residential Space Science and Engineering course, and a virtual Human Habitat on Mars course, to name a few. Each course was meticulously crafted to provide participants with practical hands-on experience and unique insights into the world of engineering.

Inclusivity at the Core

Committed to gender diversity and dedicated to breaking down traditional barriers in STEM fields; inclusivity was a driving force behind our summer courses, with 593 female and non-binary participants, making up approximately 49% of the total attendees. In addition to this, in 2023, we welcomed 431 ethnic minority students, accounting for 35% of all participants. This statistic increased to 584 when including White Irish and 'Other White' students, demonstrating our ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and diverse learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive.

Positive Impact and Encouraging Trends

Our programmes are inspiring young minds and fuelling their passion for engineering. The impact of our summer courses was profound and was reflected by an increase of 89.1% in students’ general interest in engineering; a remarkable increase of around 3.5% year on year.

Additionally, 90% of our participants reported an increased awareness of the various pathways into engineering. This showcases our continued effectiveness in informing students about the exciting opportunities available in the engineering sector.

Furthermore, an impressive 89.8% of participants expressed a genuine interest in studying engineering in the future. This highlights not only the appeal of our courses but also the potential for a future generation of engineers to shape the world through innovation.

Recommendations and Future Prospects

The feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive, with 94.3% stating that they would consider attending another course. Even more encouragingly, 96.2% of our students enthusiastically stated they would recommend our courses to a friend.

Looking Ahead

Our summer courses in 2023 were a resounding success, with a diverse range of participants, encouraging statistics, and overwhelmingly positive feedback. We are proud of the impact we've made in inspiring the next generation of engineers, and we look forward to building on this success in the years to come. Together, we will continue to unlock the limitless potential of young minds and drive innovation in the world of engineering.

The success of our summer courses is not just a testament to our commitment to education; it's a beacon of hope for the future of engineering and technology. In the coming years, The Smallpeice Trust aims to expand its offerings, reach even more diverse communities, and continue to inspire young minds to pursue careers in engineering.