Engineering

STEM Co-ordinators Mr A Harley
Support To be advised

Engineering

Engineers shape the world around us, by designing, creating and improving the products, buildings, environments, technologies and services that we use in our day-to-day lives.  Engineering is at the heart of the modern economy, providing the practical link between the subjects of Science, Technology and Mathematics, and offering young people diverse and exciting career paths.

Chelmer Valley High School has been a specialist Engineering College since 2004. We aim to provide the facilities, activities, encouragement and support that students require to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful within Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

We do this by equipping our school:

  • 3D printer allowing rapid prototyping
  • Laser Cutters capable of cutting a huge range of materials
  • Microrouter CNC 3D modeller
  • Tablets for STEM classes to allow lessons to be even more interactive
  • Specialist science equipment such as pH probes, water-baths, telescopes and micro-Bunsen burners
  • Licenses for Mathematics software for students to use in and out of lessons

By providing activities linked to business:

  • E2V high altitude balloon project
  • AECOM bridge building challenge
  • DP World engineering challenge
  • Battelle chemical analyses project
  • Youth UK Rocketry competition

By students visiting relevant organisations:

  • Institute for Manufacturing at Cambridge University
  • Babraham Biotechnology science park at Cambridge
  • Anglia Ruskin University Engineering and Computer Science events
  • RHS Hyde Hall
  • London Metropolitan University Mathematics department
  • Fords, Dunton - Advanced Apprenticeships
  • Prospects College - Engineering Apprenticeships

Engineer3

As well as our strong links with local and national industries, our relationships with primary schools in the local area allow us to the extend STEM learning to younger students.  We also help members of the local community to develop STEM skills and use our facilities though our Computer Aided Design & Computer Aided Modelling (CAD/CAM) evening class.

STEM Project

Chelmer Valley High School have been working in partnership with the Employability & Skills Unit at the Essex County Council. The aim is to encourage more young people to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).  We have been developing links with local companies and so far mentoring projects have begun this year with two Chelmsford companies as well as visits organised to various colleges & universities.  Natwest and Barclays bank have been involved with the project and spent the day with our Year 12 students, in September, providing careers information in the Finance sector.

More information on the projects completed to follow

Industry/Higher Education Links

E2V

www.e2v.com

E2V is an International company which began its journey here in Chelmsford in 1944. They support the students at CVHS through talks, visits, work experience and their apprenticeship scheme.

Battelle UK

www.battelle.org

Battelle UK investigates on behalf of its customers the fate and behaviour of chemicals in food and the environment. The studies help to ensure that pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals pose no unacceptable risk to the environment and will not be present at harmful levels in food. The work makes an important contribution to the global need to sustainably feed the world in a safe manner.

As part of the STEM project, students have the chance to work in their modern laboratories and understand how chemicals interact with their environment.

Global Marine Systems

www.globalmarinesystems.com

GMS are market leaders in optic fibre communication technologies. They have been supporting students through the YEB competition this year and are a valuable asset to CVHS.

Queen Mary’s College, University of London

www.eng.qmul.ac.uk (QMU Engineering department)

Queen Mary’s College is a thriving engineering university that regularly hosts events especially for CVHS and our feeder primary schools. Students from all Key Stages have had the opportunity to discover the equipment and testing facilities at the university.

Cambridge University

www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk (Cambridge University Institute for Manufacturing)

Little introduction is needed for this historical establishment, other than that CVHS is the only secondary school to have direct links with the universitiy's manufacturing department and engineers. Staff from the university regularly invite students to visit and take part in many fun activities (including punting on the river Cam!).

Anglia Ruskin University

www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en

Our local university is a dynamic and valued link of the school. Many of our students have gone on to study engineering based courses here with great success. They also host the Chelmsford Engineering Societies annual competition.

University of Hertfordshire

www.herts.ac.uk

University of Hertfordshire recognises the important role they play in the education of Physics, Astronomy and Maths.  They run a number of Science and Maths outreach programmes for schools.

LEGO Education

LEGO Education UK

Our LEGO®  Innovation Studio is situated in the Technology Building. It was officially opened by Richard Stephens, a former student, in December 2011 alongside Mr Parkes the UK Sales Manager for LEGO®  Education, Dr Sturman and Mr Lockwood our school governors together with Mr Franklin, Mrs Mycock and Mrs Anderson.

The Studio was set up with £20,000 of equipment generously donated by LEGO® Education UK. We are one of only four schools nationally to receive this funding. These studios provide a focus point for innovation and creativity in schools. They allow teachers to deliver projects and subject specific lessons centred on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) taught in a way that uses 21st century skills such as creative thinking, problem solving, team working and communication.

Since the opening Students at CVHS have used the kits through their STEM lessons and activity days.  Primary students have also benefited from the equipment during their Year 5 & Year 6 Engineering taster days. 

“It has been fantastic to see the LEGO® Studio being used by such a wide range of ages and abilities.  In particular, we were delighted to have been able to welcome some of our student’s parents to join in activities and gain first hand experience of how the LEGO® technology is being used at Chelmer to enhance their children’s learning.” Suzanne Mycock.

Primary Liaison

Primary Visits

Our high calibre students come from high calibre primary schools; with this in mind we offer extensive support for staff and students in the lower Key Stages with regards to advances in engineering. CVHS staff visit and teach in primary schools to allow year 5 & 6 students the chance to familiarise themselves with the software and hardware they will be using in CVHS.

Girls in Engineering 2016          

Each year at Chelmer Valley High School we invite all of our feeder primaries to send their Year 5 girls to take part in an engineering event. They are organised into groups and have the chance to work with girls from the other schools. Rotating on each activity they are all able to experience Engineering through Science, Maths & Technology.

In June, the pupils from Newlands Spring, Great Waltham, Little Waltham, Ford End, Parkwood Academy, Great Leighs, Broomfield and Boreham enjoyed a range of activities.  They made rockets from plastic bottles and launched them across the room with the expert hand of Mr Hannan, became forensic Scientists investigating a murder scene with Mrs Luxon, built towers using paper & straws with E2V and programmed & tested Lego robots with Mr Edwards.

They whole day ran smoothly with the fantastic help from our Year 9 girls, who were group leaders for the day, and the Lego club boys who assisted with the robots.

“Fantastic to see these young ladies enjoying themselves as they develop their engineering skills.  At Chelmer Valley we are committed to providing students with high quality enrichment to promote STEM subjects, careers and skills.” Mr Younan, STEM Coordinator

 “It is so important to get girls enthused by STEM at a young age.  It gives them the confidence to aim for careers that maybe they hadn’t considered before.  If a quarter of the girls here today head into STEM careers it will have a huge impact on the gender equality for future and I hope that I am witness to that.”      Mrs Luxon, Chemistry teacher & Head of Year 8.