UCL - University College London is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world, and rated 2nd in the UK for research power. It was the first British University to award degrees to women - and 150 years ago was a pioneer in Engineering Education. This year, to celebrate a century and a half of that Engineering, UCL held a festival, showcasing all the brilliant stuff they do.
Jess and I
got the bus home, and Rosie and Bob stayed on for a lecture in Bloomsbury
Theatre with Andrew Smyth, aerospace engineer, creator and judge of Netflix
Baking Impossible. When she got home later, Ro told me all about materials and
floating and sinking - how they each had a rice krispie cake and a chocolate
button to assist with the experiments. She was positively bubbling with excitement.
And did you know, Grandma, that Cadbury's Mini Rolls are the favourite snack of
cross channel swimmers? Because if you are attempting this feat, you are not
allowed to touch the people accompanying you in the support boat. But CMRs
float - so they can throw you a snack and you can gobble it up without breaking
the rules! [Its chocolate coat helps it float]
The girls both consider themselves part of the UCL family - their parents work there, and both have loved belonging to the staff nursery. Rosie met up with a buddy from her nursery days and they had a great chat together.
So much work goes into an event like this, and I was so glad we could go with the children. It was all free, too. If it encourages more young people to think about a career in engineering or research, it will be worth al the hard work.
Thank you Jon, and the rest of your team, for making this festival happen!
That looks a fantastic event! Very envious of you.
ReplyDeleteIt was fantastic
DeleteThat sounds like a wonderful day of entertainment and education. I'm glad that Jess received a replacement "bandage". :)
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced children learn more when they are enjoying themselves n
DeleteSuch an uplifting post. With such inspirational young people there is hope for the future even in these uncertain times. Jill x
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. If they are inspired to make the world a better place, that gives us hope
DeleteSounds like a fab day! Kx
ReplyDeleteIt was brilliant
DeleteThat would have been a joy to visit and well done to UCL for encouraging people to come and see the fun of science. Love Jess’s bandage! Catriona
ReplyDeleteDefinitely 5*for UCL. PS please tell Shedman the you-know-what has been ordered!
DeleteWhat a fascinating day, with so much to look at and to learn.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent event all round, free and accessible
DeleteIt sounds an amazing event! I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. Love FD xx
ReplyDeleteWell planned, thoughtfully delivered, and patently successful
DeleteThat sounds amazing, and as an MD in an engineering company I love that children find this so fascinating. They really are the future. Hopefully their brilliant start and family links will lead to flourishing careers ... if they chose them of course. ❤️
ReplyDeleteHow come engineering doesn't ever feature on your blog? You are one truly fascinating woman, Sue, hiding your light behind a very large cabbage!
DeleteHaha, my cabbage hides a multitude of sins. 😄 My companies line of work cannot be shared on social media.
Delete👍😉
DeleteA fantastic event. Just the sort of thing Emma would have loved as a child. I so agree that learning needs to be fun. I remember delivering some truly dreadful lesson plans and if I had time tried to inject some fun via a quick activity, story or video. I know you used to do this too.
ReplyDeleteI remember some of those plans you and I were given - and discussions in the Staff Room about "how can we make this better?" I hope Emma is getting on OK with her placement
DeleteThat sounds wonderful. I am sure the girls were inspired. We always found the children at school were most engaged when practical demonstrations were used rather than old fashioned talk and chalk. Science and engineering is so fascinating and where better to go than UCL. I love Jess's bandage! Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteEverything was so "hands on".
DeleteWhat a wonderful day you had with the girls! These types of events take so much planning work for the organizers. It sounds like it was excellent.
ReplyDeleteA good day for all concerned
DeleteWhat a great outing for you all. Perfect for Rosie who would be able to absorb information like a sponge. I wonder if the playground afterwards would have been a favourite for Jess, as I remember our granddaughter was crazy about playgrounds at a similar age, and was almost desperate to reach the one outside the amazing aquarium we were visiting at the time.
ReplyDeleteWe spent time at another playground on Sunday afternoon. London is blessed with many of these facilities 😊⛹️
DeleteInteresting. I was a nanny to a Swedish family for years and the two girls of the three children have gone on to become scientists.Their brother is an Engineer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog!
That's a lovely story
DeleteThank you. My father got his engineering degree there just after the Second World War. He went on to have a varied and interesting career as an engineer.
ReplyDeleteUCL has sent some fine engineers out into the world
DeleteA wonderful event to inspire, educate and encourage. To all those helped make it happen " a big thank you".
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a great day.
It was superb
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