Should Engineering Be Part of the School Sylabus?

A recent IET paper called for a re-evaluation of engineering education in schools, arguing that it should be integrated into both primary and secondary education and related to math and science.

The Engineering Kids' Futures (EKF) report, which has the support of more than 150 engineering executives and well-known figures like Tim Peake, Carol Vorderman, and will.i.am, makes a number of recommendations to advance engineering in the UK and close the vast skills gap in the field. In the average UK company, there are now 10 STEM positions open, which results in a potential shortage of 173,000 individuals. The UK economy is losing £1.5 billion annually as a result, according to the organisation STEM Learning.

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“As we know, subjects like science and maths are eagerly taught in schools, but connecting them to engineering – the link between these subjects, their purpose and application to the world in which we live – is not currently being made clear,” said David Lakin, IET head of Education, Safeguarding & Education Policy.

“We need to ensure there are clearer learning outcomes for these subjects. Put simply, we need to embed engineering into the mainstream curriculum. One way we can do this is by reviewing the current D&T curriculum, which is a key engineering and technology gateway subject, and give it more importance in the EBacc suite of subjects. Teacher training is also a key factor, and providing an engineering package aligned with the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework is vital to enhance a teacher’s understanding and confidence around talking about engineering in the classroom.”

The EKF report makes the following principal recommendations:

1. The English schools' National Curriculum needs to be modified in order to incorporate the teaching of engineering at both the primary and secondary levels of education.
2. The secondary level design and technology curriculum should be reassessed in order to refocus it as a "engineering and design" subject, with a potential rebranding of the subject in accordance.
3. Move D&T into the EBacc suite of subjects by reviewing the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) - School accountability metrics (Progress 7 and Attainment 8).
4. The UK Government supports, actively promotes, signs up for, and endorses an engineering training programme for teachers that is in line with the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework.
5. Scholarships and bursaries - UK Government-funded ITT bursaries and engineering scholarships to be reviewed to make them more valuable and accessible.

“There are many options, and the engineering community is ready to help develop and implement these to support government in implementing these recommendations,” Lakin continued.

“Our aim to significantly increase the number of quality engineers and technicians entering the workforce can only be achieved by letting young people see the opportunities that a career in the engineering sector presents.”

The report found that more than two-thirds (70 per cent) of parents believe the education system is failing to link school subjects with real-world applications. A similar number (69 per cent) said it is essential that primary school children are exposed to engineering and technology at a young age to spark interest in these fields

According to the study, more than two-thirds (70%) of parents think that school disciplines are not connected to practical applications. Similar percentages (both 69% and 69%) agreed that early exposure to engineering and technology among elementary school students is crucial for igniting an interest in these disciplines.

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