STEMalive! Inspirational Speaker - Phil Edwards, Weald Technology

STEMalive! events are a collaboration between educational charity, SATRO and Dr Elaine Hickmott of EH Enterprises. The events are designed to bring together STEM professionals and students in Years 11, 12 & 13 in a supportive environment to have cool conversations and be inspired by real career stories and insights in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

The next event is taking place on Thursday 10th March at St Peter's School, Guildford. We already have four STEM speakers confirmed! Over the next few weeks, we will be blogging short bios on each speaker.

Next up is Phil Edwards!

Phil Edwards

Founder and Managing Director

Weald Technology

Phil worked in design and manufacturing roles up to board-level, predominantly in high-technology organisations, until 2005 when he became a self-employed manufacturing advisor working on lean manufacturing, value-engineering and process improvement projects across all sectors.

In 2010 Phil spotted the emerging electric-vehicle sector and began a project to design an electric racing motorcycle, little knowing where it would lead to. That bike went on to set a UK record and, spurred on by its success, he is now running a project (that’s been 4 years in planning) to break the electric motorcycle world-record. In 2012 Phil founded Weald Technology to exploit the innovations and, under his leadership, the company has picked up numerous awards for engineering and innovation.

As well as a managing a number of other low-carbon transport projects Phil spends much of his time working with schools to inspire young people into taking up STEM subjects.

Weald Technology Website:      http://weald-tech.co.uk/

Fast Charge Website:                 http://fast-charge.org/

Phil on Twitter:                            @weald_tech

Phil on LinkedIn:                         https://www.linkedin.com/in/philaedwards

STEMalive! is FREE for schools to attend – Contact Lisa@satro.org.uk

Engineers share your knowledge and experience with us – Contact jules@satro.org.uk

James Lovelock by guest blogger John Faulkner

Hiking with his father on Leith Hill, young James Lovelock would admire the view across to the South Downs. Years later, in the 1960s, the view did not seem as clear. There was a haze. Was it man made? Where did it come from? The answer would introduce a precision instrument for measuring air pollution, both help to start the environmental movement and avert a catastrophe.

Inspired by visits to the Science Museum, impoverished James Lovelock self funded his ambition to become a scientist. Frustrated with university authority he did his science independently as a 'maverick'. Among his discoveries and inventions is the Electron Capture Detector (ECD).  This is an instrument so sensitive it can detect airborne particles in parts per trillion (1 in 1000,000,000,000). The ECD works by ionising a gas then passing an electrical current through it. Specific atoms or molecules introduced to the gas can be identified by changes in the current.

He used his ECD on the North Downs air. Testing for man made chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), used for aerosols and refrigerants, he discovered them in the wind from London. Was CFC dispersal wider? He part funded joining British research ship Shackleton on it's 1972 Antarctic voyage. His resulting paper and lectures on global dispersal alerted other scientists. Alarmingly they found CFC action was destroying the earth's ozone layer. Ozone protects life from the harmful effects of the sun's Ultra Violet radiation. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol, to control CFCs, was agreed by 197 UN countries and is the first worldwide agreement to protect the Earth's environment.

After a distinguished science career, at 96, James Lovelock now writes on the environment. He is most famous for the Gaia hypothesis developed while consulting NASA on how landers might test for the presence of life on Mars. Gaia proposes the Earth's environment is self regulating, where life maintains the balance of nature. Living processes, for example, coordinate to maintain the air's oxygen level at 21%, the exact proportion in air needed by our biosphere to survive.

Recognising Science Museum influences, in 2015, he donated his fascinating and important archive to it. It includes the ECD, built in his garden shed laboratory! See the link below...

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/Plan_your_visit/exhibitions/lovelock.aspx

There are many anecdotes from him and one that impresses me is his response during the war to using shaved rabbits to categorise degrees of skin burn. He refused to harm innocent animals and successfully conducted the tests on himself which he described as 'exquisitely painful'!

- John Faulkner, SATRO Volunteer

STEMalive! Inspirational speaker - Keisha Smith, CGL

STEMalive! events are a collaboration between educational charity, SATRO and Dr Elaine Hickmott of EH Enterprises. The events are designed to bring together STEM professionals and students in Years 11, 12 & 13 in a supportive environment to have cool conversations and be inspired by real career stories and insights in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

The next event is taking place on Thursday 10th March at St Peter's School, Guildford. We already have four STEM speakers confirmed! Over the next few weeks, we will be blogging short bios on each speaker.

Up next is Keisha Smith!

Keisha Smith

Principal Engineer

Card Geotechnics Ltd

Keisha is from Barbados and I did her BSc in Civil with Environmental Engineering at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.  She came to the UK in 2005 to do her MSc in Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham.

Since then she has worked for Card Geotechnics Ltd (CGL), progressing from Engineer to Principal Engineer within a nine year period.  During this time she also became a Chartered Environmentalist. CGL is a consultancy which provides ground solutions and Keisha is responsible for the assessment of brownfield sites (for example; former gas works, chemical works and landfills) and the remediation of these sites prior to redevelopment.

Keisha is proud to be a STEM Ambassador and frequently goes into primary and secondary schools presenting her work and actively encouraging more young people to pursue careers in STEM.

CGL Website:                    http://www.cgl-uk.com/

CGL on LinkedIn:              https://www.linkedin.com/company/card-geotechnics-limited

Keisha on LinkedIn:        https://uk.linkedin.com/in/keishaannmariesmith

STEMalive! is FREE for schools to attend – Contact Lisa@satro.org.uk

Engineers share your knowledge and experience with us – Contact jules@satro.org.uk

STEMalive! inspirational speaker - Linden Vongsathorn, Microsoft

STEMalive! events are a collaboration between educational charity, SATRO and Dr Elaine Hickmott of EH Enterprises. The events are designed to bring together STEM professionals and students in Years 11, 12 & 13 in a supportive environment to have cool conversations and be inspired by real career stories and insights in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

The next event is taking place on Thursday 10th March at St Peter's School, Guildford. We already have four STEM speakers confirmed! Over the next few weeks, we will be blogging short bios on each speaker.

First up is Linden Vongsathorn, Software Development Engineer at Microsoft!

Linden Vongsathorn is a Software Engineer at Microsoft, working on the Windows operating system and Xbox gaming system. She was on the Xbox One launch team and currently develops TV and entertainment technology. Before joining Microsoft, she was a game designer and developer at “Hide&Seek” game design studio, and she studied how people interact with technology as an intern at Microsoft Research and the Oxford Internet Institute. 

Linden has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College in the USA and a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Oxford. She has created and contributed to games played at venues including the Southbank Centre in London, the London 2012 Festival, the New York Come Out and Play Festival, and La Gaî​té Lyrique in Paris. 

Linden is also actively involved in programs encouraging and supporting young people who are interested in the sciences. She speaks at schools, industry events, and mentors young women entering the field.

Microsoft UK Website:                 https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/about/

Microsoft on Twitter:                    @MicrosoftUK

Linden on LinkedIn:                      https://uk.linkedin.com/in/linden-vongsathorn-25423361

STEMalive! is FREE for schools to attend – Contact Lisa@satro.org.uk

Engineers share your knowledge and experience with us – Contact jules@satro.org.uk

SATRO MENTORING PROGRAMME RECIEVES NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD

NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD FOR MENTORING PROGRAMME IN SURREY SCHOOLS

SATRO, who are based on the Surrey Research Park in Guildford, has been awarded the prestigious Approved Provider Standard. This is the national quality award designed for mentoring and befriending projects awarded by the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation, who are part of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

“The mentor programme has been in operation for 16 years and this year has over 150 students in schools throughout Surrey working with mentors. We bring together companies looking to support their local communities with schools in their area. Company employees volunteer to be mentors to young people working with them to build confidence, develop employability skills and help them achieve their potential. We are delighted that current sponsors of the programme include Guildford-based Allianz (working with Kings college, Guildford), Dorking-based Unum (working with students at Therfield School, Leatherhead), Kingswood-based Legal & General (working with The Beacon School, Banstead), Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (Oakwood School, Horley), Tandridge Borough Council (Oxted School), Just Retirement (Reigate School), Partnership (St Bedes School, Redhill) Sutton & East Surrey Water (The Warwick School, Redhill), Cisco (Thamesmead School, Shepperton). We would also like to thank The Persula Foundation for their support of our application”  quoted Liz Edwardes, SATRO Mentor Programme Manager. 

Dr Beccy Bowden, CEO of SATRO said “We are delighted that we have achieved the national quality standard for our programme. It reflects the commitment of all participants and demonstrates the high standard of all elements of the programme. To be able to demonstrate that we have this Award brings added confidence to our existing sponsors and gives us a platform from which we can extend our reach to support more young people in the south east.”

Beatrice 'Tilly' Shilling by guest blogger John Faulkner

This year is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and a hero who helped us to win it was engineer Beatrice 'Tilly' Shilling. Tilly Shilling always wanted to be an engineer. She bought a motorcycle at the age of 14, completely rebuilding it, later racing them in competition. In 1929, with encouragement from her employer, she became the one of only two women to study for an electrical engineering degree at the University of Manchester. Following this she obtained an MSc in mechanical engineering and in 1936 secured a Scientific Officer position at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough.

On the outbreak of the second world war the Luftwaffe discovered that Spitfire and Hurricane fighters had an engine vulnerability. Designed to use carburettors, on diving, the fighter's Rolls Royce Merlin engine would starve of fuel triggering a cut-out. A catastrophic and potentially fatal problem during a dog fight. The enemy with their less powerful but fuel injected engines had a big advantage. An urgent solution was needed and it was Tilly's simple modification that saved the day. Installing her specially designed disc, into the engine's carburettor fuel inlet, the cut-outs could be  overcome. Leading a team of technicians out to frontline RAF airfields she rapidly modified every Spitfire and Hurricane engine. RAF fighter pilots could be now confident with engine power in battle and by March 1941 she completed the work.

After the war Tilly moved on to motor racing and work on Britain's Blue Streak rocket. She was awarded an OBE and a Phd in engineering from the University of Surrey. If you visit Farnborough you may see a pub named the Tilly Shilling in fond memory of her work. Some of her racing memorabilia, acquired in 2015, is at Brooklands Museum. On the track at Brooklands in the 1930's she won a famous Gold Star for lapping at an average of over 100 mph by motorcycle, being the first woman to achieve the challenge.

- John Faulkner, SATRO Volunteer

Who's Behind Your Fridge? By Dr Elaine Hickmott, EH Enterprises

Who’s Behind Your Fridge?

By Dr Elaine Hickmott, EH Enterprises

The first week of January 2016 saw people from across the globe gather for the Consumer Electronics Show® (CES2016) in Las Vegas.  Billed as the place to experience ‘mind-blowing technology and awe-inducing innovations’, CES2016 showcased products and services from established mega-brands and start-ups alike.

When we look at the gadgets, the technological advancements and all the glitz and glamour of CES2016 it’s easy to take everything at face value and not think about the people behind the innovations; those who turn ideas into the reliable products and services we use today and in the future.   These people come in many guises, come from an array of disciplines, have a range of responsibilities and... many are engineers.

Let’s consider three household mega-brands that took part in CES2016. Volkswagen showcasing a car combining electric mobility with the Internet of Things; LG exhibiting a prototype ‘foldable’ 18inch organic LED display; Bosch championing technology for smart and more efficient homes.  All showed different products which deliver different consumer value. 

To achieve, sustain and extend their mega-brand status these organisations need and employ a range of engineering talent.  Having done a quick internet search here is a small selection of the types of engineers they employ: 

Impressive or what?!  Engineering is part of our lives; engineers matter.  And it goes further.

Let’s explore now the world of the entrepreneur.  CES2016 also showcases hundreds of newer and start-up businesses.  Many of these organisations are the brainchild of... you’ve guessed it, engineers.  Take for example the following three CES2016 contributors:

DJI:  Founded by Frank Wang in 2006, DJI is market leader in easy-to-fly drones and aerial photography systems.  Frank originally studied electronics and computer engineering.

GoSun:  Founded by Patrick Sherwin in 2013, GoSun’s portable solar oven cooks meals quickly and is inspired by renewable energy solutions.  Patrick originally studied mechanical engineering.

Sevenhugs:  Founded by Simon Tchedikian in 2013, Sevenhugs’ hugOne product is designed to improve everyone’s sleep quality.  Simon originally studied electronics and electrical engineering.

Impressive or what?!  Engineering is the starting point for many entrepreneurs. 

Taking our day-to-day lives at face value without curiosity; being bombarded with information without context; making assumptions in isolation without speaking to others can drive a very narrow view of life and of engineering.  Especially for younger people who are starting out on their career adventure.  SATRO has been working tirelessly for years to address this by championing STEM and providing insights into work and the opportunities engineering can bring.  And 2016 is set to be another year full of STEM-tastic activities, events and initiatives like STEMalive! on the evening of 10 March 2016 in Guildford.

STEMalive! will bring together engineers and schools from across the south-east to join in an inspirational evening of STEM careers facts and fun.  We’ll be kicking off the evening with upbeat ‘ignite-style’ talks from engaging engineers including Keisha Smith, Principal Engineer at CGL and Phil Edwards, founder and MD of Weald Technology.  Then we’ll be straight into fast-paced career speed dating. 

STEMalive! is set to be a great evening and if you’re a sixth former who’d like to attend or an engineer who’d like to get involved with the career speed dating session please get in touch via contactus@satro.org.uk