Anne-Marie Morris visits South Devon UTC
School children had the opportunity to learn more about the skills on offer at South Devon’s University Technical College in Newton Abbot.
Pupils from St Michaels Primary School and Bradley Barton Primary School visited the UTC as part of National UTC Day on Friday 18 March.
National UTC Day celebrates the work University Technical Colleges do to inspire young people to become the scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators of the future.
Coinciding with British Science Week, UTCs across the country opened their doors to the community, to learn more about all aspects of science, technology, engineering and maths.
The children joined the UTC’s older students and teachers in a Compu-Tech Fun Day. They took part in various activities including testing model F1 cars in the wind tunnel and a test track, traffic light coding and programming and learnt more about boats and cranes the UTC students as won prizes in the recent Royal Navy Antartica Challenge.
UTC Principal Ian Crews gave a 3D presentation on jet engines and the students met MP Ann-Marie Morris before going home with a goodie bag.
Principal Ian Crews said:
“The day was a huge success with the students thoroughly enjoying themselves and it’s definitely something we’d like to do more of with more of the local primary schools in the future.”
Anne Marie Morris MP said:
“What a fabulous day! It gives me so much pleasure to see the UTC spreading the knowledge and excitement of science to youngsters at primary school. Current UTC students were great guides and the "wows" and enthusiastic noises were brilliant to hear. And quite a few youngsters now really want to be scientists!”
National UTC day comes hot on the heels of a UTC student challenge project supported by planners and engineers at Teignbridge District Council.
The project involved students coming up with an imaginary regeneration proposal for Newton Abbot’s Cricketfield Car Park, including a new footbridge over the River Lemon.
The officers provided expert guidance to students who are learning about planning and engineering and were able to give the teenagers a greater understanding of planning and positive development.
Teignbridge District Council’s Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers said:
“The South Devon UTC is one of the projects Teignbridge is most proud of being involved with. It has the ability to transform education locally and give young people the skills they need for key industries within the district.
“Teignbridge’s continued support for the new UTC demonstrates our keenness in engaging with young people, helping them learn about real life challenges in their local area and building their own bridges into lifetime employment.”
The South Devon UTC is for students aged 14-18 and integrates technical, practical and academic learning. It opened its doors in September 2015.
It offers a broad curriculum that combines an academic education with technical and practical learning. The four-storey campus, which cost £10 million to develop, includes open-plan learning spaces, technical workshops and a range of other high-tech features to aid learning, particularly in the fields of engineering, water and the environment.
