Fuelling passion for engineering

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The Smallpeice Trust is a UK-based educational charity that inspires young people to pursue careers in science and engineering through events, workshops and scholarships. Founded over 50 years ago by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a brilliant engineer who invented the Smallpeice Lathe, the charity fosters young people’s curiosity and fuels their passion. The Smallpeice Trust team tells us how they do it.

What motivated Dr Smallpeice to set up The Smallpeice Trust?

Dr Cosby D. P. Smallpeice was passionate about engineering. Following his own success as an engineer, he ploughed £1.6m of his personal fortune into setting up The Smallpeice Trust to give young people the support they need to bring their big ideas to life through science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Helen Cuthill, The Smallpeice Trust’s CEO, explains, “Our vision has always been to inspire young people, no matter their background, to learn more about STEM subjects and to gain insights into exciting potential career paths.”

Why is it important that young people learn about – and are inspired by – engineering?

Engineering is a crucial component for innovation and problem-solving in the modern world. “Enabling young people to engage with the engineering environment in different, fun and creative ways via our programmes and courses ensures we are playing our role in inspiring the innovators of tomorrow,” explains Helen.

How has The Smallpeice Trust developed to become the organisation it is today?

Since its inception in 1966, The Smallpeice Trust has expanded its reach and impact significantly, focusing on inspiring young people to explore careers in STEM. Originally centred on workshops and residential courses, the Trust has broadened its scope to engage younger age groups, providing opportunities to ignite a passion for STEM at an earlier stage. By introducing more in-school activities, the organisation ensures that students from a wide range of backgrounds can benefit from its programmes, fostering interest and skills in STEM subjects across the UK.

Collaborations with an increasing number of organisations have enabled the Trust to enhance its offerings, integrating digital skills, sustainability and emerging technologies to align with industry needs and future workforce demands. Alongside diversifying its activities to include fields like coding, cybersecurity and renewable energy, the Trust has placed a stronger emphasis on diversity and inclusion, working to address gaps in participation from underrepresented

groups, such as girls and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These strategic developments have positioned The Smallpeice Trust as a leader in STEM education, helping to build a more diverse and capable pipeline of future innovators.

What events does The Smallpeice Trust run for secondary school students?

“We offer STEM Days for schools in the UK, for students in years 8 to 12,” explains Jonnie Bowmer, The Trust’s Excellence in Delivery Manager. “They are designed to complement the national curriculum in science, technology, engineering and maths.” Hands-on activities range from testing crash proof vehicles to exploring wind turbines and building bridges.

“Information on our programmes can be found via our website and social media platforms,” says Jonnie. “Students, teachers and parents are also encouraged to subscribe to our ‘Keep Informed’ newsletter which contains the latest information on upcoming events, including opportunities to visit some amazing engineering companies across the UK.”

Download this resource

See https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/stem-days for this year’s events.

What is your Engineering@ School initiative?

Engineering@School provides teachers with 10 practical, hands-on engineering challenges that enable students to work through the engineering cycle. The projects are designed to be run with equipment commonly available in schools. The resources include a video demonstration, a teacher guide including curriculum links, an outline of the theory behind the project, a risk assessment, and a student workbook to guide students through the design, make, test and evaluate process.

What resources do you provide for parents as part of your Engineering@Home initiative?

“To achieve our vision, we understand the importance of engaging parents in the process of nurturing their children’s interest in engineering,” says Oliver Atkins- Wood, Head of Content and Impact. “So, alongside our virtual and in-person events, we offer downloadable resources on our website.” These include the Rocket Launcher Challenge and the Windpower Challenge which use household objects to create fun and interesting at-home engineering challenges.

What do your ‘Ignition’ events involve?

Ignition or EE (Engineering Experience) Events are for students in Years 8 and 9 who have an active interest in engineering but are keen to understand the broad scope of available careers before their GCSE studies. Students take part in three different modules across three days, working in teams and making new friends. Ignition Events often take place at universities across the UK, giving students access to advanced equipment and facilities, while residential events allow students to socialise during the evenings and stay at a university campus for the duration of the course.

Who is eligible for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Programme, and what does it involve?

An Arkwright Scholarship will run through a student’s final two years in secondary education, and they are eligible to apply in the year before this. To be eligible, students must be intending to stay in further education to study A-levels in, or directly related to, engineering. Students are first asked to complete an application form, detailing their interests in engineering, including which areas they would like to work in post education. All students who successfully complete the following exam and interview stages will become an Arkwright Scholar. Depending on whether we are able to find a direct sponsor for them, scholars will receive a mix of enrichment opportunities that can include a bursary payment, one-to-one or group mentoring, and access to exclusive in-person and online industry-based events. All scholars are invited to an in-person or online networking event, hosted by The Smallpeice Trust, to learn from industry experts and meet their fellow scholars. Obtaining an Arkwright Scholarship is a massive achievement and adds weight to a CV or university application.

What are your aims for the future?

“We are committed to Dr Smallpeice’s vision and a desire to make a lasting impact on STEM education,” says Oliver. “Our focus on scholarships, events and resources are part of an ongoing effort to inspire future generations of engineers and scientists.”

Connect with The Smallpeice Trust

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