APRIL 2009 futures
7futures
Nottingham University to study
mechanical engineering after which I'd
like to come back to West Cumbria to
work as an engineer."
Laura Hind, 15, said her teacher
submitted a report of her work from the
last two years.
She said: "I'm delighted to win the cash.
I've always loved science-related subjects
at school especially resistant materials.
"Last year I was involved in the Young
SCHOOLS
YOUNG PEOPLE
SHOW THE WAY
The right
Reaction
BY NICK HAGAN
EDGE LEARNER FORUM
I
N the crippling cold of a January
evening, Simon, Sam and myself jumped
off the train in the heart of the Lake
District. As representatives of the Edge
Learner Forum (ELF) we had one
destination in mind; Brathay Hall.
For the last few years, the Brathay Hall
Trust has been collaborating with young
people on a direct, honest basis to make its
centre more youth-friendly.
Our members were more than happy to
get involved with a project putting youth
opinion at the very core of its development.
This project is the development of a new
accommodation and learning centre called
Eagle Crag.
Following on from an initial brainstorm
last year, ELF members from London and
Cumbria were invited back to the centre, to
catch up on the project's progress and help
shape the next stage.
So, the next day we met with the
project's lead architects to review
developments. Results were positive, with
members satisfied that their suggestions
from last time had been fully taken on
board in the plans for the revamped Eagle
Crag accommodation.
Next came the real work; a vision for
how the centre should be furbished, to
make the facilities truly appeal to young
visitors.
Splitting into two teams, ELF members
wasted no time in cooking up a space to
truly appeal to young people. The focus
was on functionality and style, with ideas
ranging from drop-down TVs to making
rooms customisable, by including moving
walls and ceilings.
Brathay seemed to take a lot from
involving young people in the design of the
new living space for their young service
users. With the young people, architects
and Brathay staff all working in complete
partnership they were able to build a
powerful working relationship.
Godfrey Owen, chief executive of
Brathay, spoke of how important
investment into the young people involved
was.
This project was presented to chief
executives, policy makers and many other
delegates at a high profile event held in
London by the Big Lottery Fund as a
pioneering triumph in public involvement.
For more information on the event go to:
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
public_involvement_live.php
The young people involved took away a
real feeling of accomplishment and
confidence in their own ideas as they saw
the change that their opinions made.
Brathay staff are now fully equipped for
working alongside young people which can
only build on the types of interactions
future service users have with staff
members.
The Edge Learner Forum is a nationwide
network of young people, trying to change
the face of the education system. We
believe in learning by doing and engaging
young people with the type of teaching
they best take in.
If you want to get involved go to
www.edgelearnerforum.co.uk
A
WEST Cumbrian
engineering charity has
awarded more than �7,000
to young engineers of the
future.
The REACT Foundation presented
bursary prizes and cash awards to local
students who have shown a commitment
to engineering as a career.
The two bursary winners were Richard
McCormack, a former West Lakes
Academy student from Frizington, who is
currently on a `year in industry' gap year
at REACT Engineering, and Andrew
Messenger also of Frizington who is a
student at Keswick School.
Three West Cumbrian Year 11 students
also received cash awards when they
enter sixth form in September to study
engineering-related subjects such as
maths, science or product design.
Catherine Anthony of Whitehaven
School, Laura Hind of Keswick School,
and Ryan Johnstone of Solway school
were the winning candidates who were
given �200 each.
All West Cumbrian secondary schools
were asked to nominate up to three
students who showed a keenness to study
engineering. The winners, who were
chosen from the three schools which
responded to the challenge, were handed
their prizes at a presentation evening at
The REACT Foundation offices at
Westlakes Science Park on Monday March
2.
The awards coincided with the start of
National Science and Engineering Week.
Andrew Messenger, 17, who is hoping to
study mechanical engineering at Durham
University, said: "I'm thrilled to have won
the bursary prize, it's going to help me
out a lot when I come to go to university.
"I have always had an interest in
engineering; it's something that has come
naturally to me.
"I'm pleased I applied for the bursary,
it's a great idea to help you people
through university."
Richard McCormack, 19, said: "I'm very
pleased to have won the bursary award.
It's a great idea to help students through
their first year of uni.
"It can result in a lot of debt for some
students so it's nice to have that help to
kick start you.
"I have always liked science and
engineering-related subjects � it's always
been a personal interest of mine.
"I hope to go to either Durham or
Engineers programme and worked with
the Navy as part of it. We were given the
task of making a remote-controlled boat;
it was a brilliant experience."
The charity set up the new bursary this
year to help meet rising university costs.
Because of the high standard and
number of applicants, the charity agreed
to give two students �3,145 each when they
gain a place on a university engineering
course later this year.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Andrew Messenger, left from Kirkland and Richard McCormack,
second right from Frizington chat with Pete Woolaghan from REACT Foundation
Don't miss
our Suppliers
and Services
to Schools
Feature
Futures
In the next edition of
on 23rd / 24th April

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16 Produced by PageSuite