b'16 Member News November 2019Inspiring future engineersLaunching the first clarinet to the edge of space!Richard Grange / UNP (United National Photographers)Our recent competition with the iconic Beano comic gave winner Elin, 10, an out-of-this-world experience when she sent her engineered clarinet into orbit.The Life on Mars competitionAs part of the campaign we asked kids to redesignsought young peoples views something they couldnt liveon the future of our planet as without should they everwell as how they feel about move to another planet. Itspace exploration. The researchElin and her clarinet featured in a Beano comic stripformed part of this yearsfound that nearly half of under Engineer a Better World16s believe a human colonyshould they one day live thereover 150mph. The clarinet campaign and supportedon Mars will be established in begging the questionhowswas launched in Ashbourne, our mission to inspire youngtheir lifetime, with a love forthe reception up there? Derbyshire and landed safely people to explore aerospacespace being a key factor inby parachute over 70 miles engineering and the range their interest in STEM. Elin launched her space clarinetaway near Scunthorpe, North of modern roles that needto the edge of the atmosphereLincolnshire. science, technology,Whilst Elin wants to take herwhere it reached a height of engineering and mathsclarinet to space, more than35km and temperatures as (STEM) skills. a third of UK children (36%)low as -63C before hurtlingWatch Erin launch her clarinet say they want to take their TVback to earth at speeds ofat: youtu.be/xT5r_A73AJ0 New research shows perceptions of engineering are on the upEngineering Open House Day at AmazonWith latest researchMore than half of children describeThe research also showed interest in showing that childrensengineering and technology jobs as skilled,gateway subjects to engineering careers followed by around two in five who thinkhas fallen amongst nine to twelve year perceptions of engineeringthey are interesting, difficult, creative orolds. Science has fallen by 10 per cent, are improving, the IETsimportant, with words such as messy anddesign and technology is down by 12 per dirty on the decline. cent and ICT/computing has fallen furthest activities to help themby 14 per cent over the last four years.explore the profession areParents mirror their childrens views. However, there is still a gap in knowledge,It seems there are pressures in the more important than ever. with more than one in five parents feelingclassroom, with 72% of primary teachers unable to support their child should theysaying the time pressures of having to Earlier this year, we commissionedask for advice about jobs in engineeringteach a full curriculum is the biggest CHILDWISE to carry out new researchand technology. obstacle to engaging pupils in STEM.on how children aged six to fifteen years old, their parents and teachers feel aboutRead our full report and recommendations at:engineering and technology.engineer-a-better-world.org/find-out-more'