In an effort to promote the uptake of engineering degrees, particularly among young women, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has launched a novel ‘TUS Engineering Olympics’ programme for TY students at its campus in Athlone.
Spearheaded by lecturer Colette Breheny, a passionate advocate for engineering education, the programme aims to dispel misconceptions about engineering and inspire secondary school students to consider engineering as a viable career path.
The idea behind the Engineering Olympics stems from Colette’s own experience visiting schools to discuss careers in engineering, where she was repeatedly confronted with classrooms predominantly occupied by male students.
“I realised the urgent need to dispel the stereotype that engineering is for males only and women need not apply and instead illuminate the vast spectrum of opportunities within engineering for all students,” she explained.
The inaugural TUS Engineering Olympics, piloted just before Christmas, has received hugely positive feedback so far, with participating schools showing keen interest in the interactive activities.
Students are exposed to various engineering disciplines through hands-on tasks such as bridge-building challenges, lean manufacturing simulations using Lego, and the foundation of rocket science, where students get to launch a ping pong ball to learn about velocity and trajectory and figure out where it will land.
“By engaging students in hands-on challenges and emphasising teamwork and collaboration in the activities, we aim to not only nurture their problem-solving skills but also prepare them for the dynamic and collaborative environment of the engineering industry, where innovation thrives through collective efforts,” Colette said.
One of the notable outcomes of the programme is a surge in interest among students to pursue engineering as a career.
Breda Lynch, Head of the Department of Polymer and Mechanical Engineering, said many students, who were previously unaware of the breadth of opportunities within the field, have expressed curiosity about pursuing a career in engineering after participating in the programme.
“It has really highlighted to us the significance of early exposure to engineering concepts, especially during the transition year phase when students are exploring potential career paths,” she explained.
“By engaging with them now, our aim is to expand their horizons and encourage them to consider a broader range of subjects when making their choices for the Leaving Certificate and, later, university.
Industry support for the Engineering Olympics has been encouraging, with companies like Medtronic recognizing the value of nurturing interest in engineering from a young age.
Expressing support for the programme, Dr Sean Lyons, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, said, “The TUS Engineering Olympics not only serves as a recruitment pipeline for future talent but also contributes to closing the gender gap in engineering by actively engaging with female students.
“By instilling a sense of curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving early on, the initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of innovative engineers poised to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Looking ahead, TUS aims to expand the reach of the Engineering Olympics, with plans to continue the programme beyond the initial pilot phase. To get involved, contact Colette Breheny by emailing Colette.breheny@tus.ie.