RAFCT, supported by DXC, are proud to be national partner of Primary Engineer's If You Were an Engineer (What Would You Do?) scheme. This is an annual, UK-wide competition which is open to all primary and secondary pupils in all schools, currently divided into 17 regions. Pupils aged 3 to 19 interview engineering and technology professionals, identify a problem and create a drawn and annotated solution to it in response to the question, 'If you were an engineer, what would you do?'
Pupils develop skills such as the Engineering Habits of Mind (EHoM); problem finding, creative problem solving, visualising, improving, adapting along with critical thinking skills and communication skills. Entries are shortlisted at grading days in each region and panels in each region select entries from each year group to win awards. Awards ceremonies and public exhibitions in each region showcase the ingenuity of pupils and their solutions to problems. All pupils entering the competition are sent certificates which are graded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Shortlisted. Awards events and public exhibitions in each region bring pupils, teachers, parents, carers, family members and the public into key events. Partnerships with universities has created 'proto teams' who select and make winning entries.
Pupils develop skills such as the Engineering Habits of Mind (EHoM); problem finding, creative problem solving, visualising, improving, adapting along with critical thinking skills and communication skills. Entries are shortlisted at grading days in each region and panels in each region select entries from each year group to win awards. Awards ceremonies and public exhibitions in each region showcase the ingenuity of pupils and their solutions to problems. All pupils entering the competition are sent certificates which are graded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Shortlisted. Awards events and public exhibitions in each region bring pupils, teachers, parents, carers, family members and the public into key events. Partnerships with universities has created 'proto teams' who select and make winning entries.
In 2022, entries were showcased at RIAT, in our Inspire Stage area. There were some fantastic ideas, some of which have been created by the proto teams! Additionally, RAFCT sponsor the podcast that complements the scheme and there is even a RIAT special episode (link to come here as they haven't put it on the website yet)
About Primary Engineer
Primary Engineer®, since 2005, have developed an engineering curriculum that spans Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Further Education institutions. Its core aims include; the development of children and young people through engagement with engineering, the promotion of engineering careers through inspiring programmes and competitions, the development of engineering skills for teachers and practitioners addressing the inequalities in engineering.
They developed a project-based learning approach to education which enables children and pupils to engage with practical maths and science alongside creative problem solving and literacy. It has been described as STEM by Stealth® due to the integrated curriculum nature of the programmes which also develop resilience and curiosity.
Strong links to engineers and the industries they work in provides an opportunity for both pupils and teachers to expand their knowledge of careers, career paths and opportunities.
Their programmes and activities have a national footprint engaging over 65,000 pupils in the academic year 2021-22
About DXC
DXC Technology helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world's largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates.
