Inspiring the next generation of Salford engineers @MakeInSalford

So excited to launch our Maker Space and Morson Engine Room today! Thanks to @ged_mason and @salford_mayor for opening our spaces and for everyone who came to help us celebrate! What a fantastic day! pic.twitter.com/Mcrpul63Rt

— Make In Salford (@makeinsalford) June 27, 2019

MAKE IN SALFORD – Engage, Educate, Engineer

This is a pilot CPD training programme designed to give the teacher confidence in 3D design and printing activities, with each participating school provided with a free 3D printing STEM kit funded by Morson Group – a global leader in technical recruitment and engineering excellence based in Salford.

Make in Salford is a free training programme for school teachers and technicians based in Salford to gain 3D design and 3D printing skills, and insight into Industry 4.0 careers. The Maker Space at the University of Salford, in partnership with CREATE Education and Morson Group, are working towards the Gatsby Careers Benchmark to bring together a cluster of 9 Salford schools to take part in this future-fit teacher training initiative to MAKE IN SALFORD.

The Maker Space is kitted out with 13 dedicated 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutters, and clean working spaces for assembling electronics, building drones and robots with a dedicated computer suite where the 3D design (CAD) classes are being facilitated. It is a safe and creative learning space for teachers to explore digital fabrication methods, and know-how to integrate the digital with the physical. 

“We are building on the proud engineering history at the University of Salford by offering training to local teachers to gain practical hands-on digital skills to help us engage with bright talent to consider engineering as a future career”, says Dr Maria Stukoff, Director of the Maker Space.

Create Education bring their renowned expertise in 3D education to the table with bespoke lesson plans and skills training to explore 2D and 3D concepts. Their free learning resources are made available online with inspirational content and ideas to inspire children to consider careers working with digital technology. Make in Salford was co-developed in response to the government Industrial Strategy and Made Smarter review to transform the adoption of industrial digital technology within schools and to safeguard STEM education in our locality. 

“We launched the CREATE Education project in 2014 and are excited to be working in partnership with the Maker Space!  This allows us to bring together award winning 3D printers, to make innovation and digital creativity accessible to everybody”, adds Paul Croft, Director of UltimakerGB, Founder of the CREATE Education Project.

The 3D STEM kit provides each School with their own UItimaker 2+ 3D printer and showcases the importance of collaboration between industry, government and education in the investment and development of the next generation of engineers; learning the skills of tomorrow, today! 

Sarah Scanlan, from Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Salford Enterprise Coordinator and Policy & Development Officer for Salford City Council supports the initiative and added “We are passionate about closing the digital and engineering skills gap in Greater Manchester and ensuring have a clear path through education to a successful, rewarding STEM career. Make in Salford amplifies the head start we are making to get the right skills into the hands of our future talent”.

In 2017, Engineering recruitment company Morson Group made a significant donation to create a new digital manufacturing hub at the University to support the construction of a Maker Space and the Morson Engine Room, home to heavy duty, industrial grade machinery. The Maker Space allows students, staff, and industrialists to engage with expertise and technical support on how to develop, prototype and experiment with real world challenges and gain the skills to utilize the processes.

“Proud of our Salford heritage, Morson have been part of the local community for 50 years. We are passionate about supporting a pipeline of future talent and ensuring that opportunities are available to all. Make in Salford is a testament to the partnership to drive new accessible engineering STEM programmes and ensuring our teachers have the opportunity to step up with industry to ensure their classrooms are relevant and aligned with the new industrial revolution”, says Ged Mason, CEO Morson Group

The CREATE Education Project brings together game changing technology with inspirational content and creative minds. This collaborative platform is designed to provide FREE resources and support to help educators to introduce and embed 3D Printing technology in the classroom. These include professional development resources, lesson resources, project ideas and inspiration. Contributors and community members are provided with a network of people embracing the same passion for sharing and improving access to education.

In order to ensure everybody has the opportunity to benefit from 3D printing and other exciting tech we reached out and asked educators and industry leaders what the challenges were and how can we make the best of the opportunities. We aligned these with our core values and CREATE Education Project was the result.

The University of Salford is committed to promoting social mobility by raising the aspirations of the local community, which is traditionally underrepresented within higher education. We are especially keen to include participants who do not have parents who have previously studied at higher education level to inspire pathways into future engineering careers. We also promote equality and diversity within STEM and aim for teachers to help support a 50/50 gender split within teams where possible.