Activities spanned across Shimna Integrated College Newcastle, St. Mary’s Primary School Newcastle, and St. Malachy’s Primary School Castlewellan, with each location offering unique experiences designed to spark curiosity and excitement among the students. At Shimna Integrated College, students participated in ‘The Big Bridge’ activity and explored the new college campus build in collaboration with Glasgiven Contracts, showcasing the real-world impact of engineering. Participating schools included Shimna Integrated College, St. Patrick’s Primary School Burrenreagh and All Children’s Integrated Primary School Newcastle.
St. Mary’s Primary School and Newcastle Primary School hosted a walking tour of the Shimna Flood Alleviation Scheme, providing a firsthand look at engineering in action to manage and mitigate flood risks, with activities led by the contractor Dawson Wam. Meanwhile, St. Malachy’s Primary School enjoyed ‘Scientific Sue’ classroom visits, sponsored by Tetra Tech, offering students a dynamic and interactive introduction to scientific concepts.
Laura Duggan from Tetra Tech expressed her enthusiasm for the event: “It has been an incredible week witnessing the curiosity and engagement of the students. Engineers Week not only educates but also inspires, and we at Tetra Tech believe in Leading with Science ® so we are delighted to have played a part in nurturing the next generation of innovators.”
Clare Morris, from the EINR committee, reflected on the week’s success: “The week was a testament to the passion and potential of our young learners. Seeing their excitement and the collaborative efforts of schools, sponsors, and the community reaffirms our commitment to STEAM education. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, volunteers, and especially our sponsors, including Farrans, Tetra Tech and Dawson Wam for their invaluable support.”
Adam McKeown from sponsor Dawson Wam said: “The construction of a 1.45km flood wall as part of the Shimna Flood Alleviation Scheme in Newcastle has provided flood protection to 320 properties in the town. Collaborating with Engineers Week, we have shared our professional expertise with the local schools, promoting the importance of engineering, with the aim to inspire the children and promote the next generation of our industry.”
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