UCL DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

19th July 2012 

From 16th to 19th July, 25 budding engineers attended a four-day Biochemical Engineering course at University College London (UCL).  The course provided 15 and 16 year old students with the opportunity to learn about novel biological therapeutics theories and the importance of biochemical engineering in transforming these life-saving medicines into drugs that are commercially available.

Students attended a series of lectures, masterclasses and practical activities covering a range of related topics including the manufacturing of AIDS therapies, regenerative medicine, the design of bioreactors, and the process for manufacturing therapeutic products.  Not only did students gain an in-depth insight into the fascinating world of biochemical engineering, they also gained a first-hand experience of university life, while developing and improving their communication, presentation and team-building skills.

Social activities included sports night, a film night and a formal course dinner and disco which enabled students to discuss their projects and discover more about careers within biochemical engineering.

Yuhong Zhou, course organisor in Biochemical Engineering at UCL said: “It is fantastic to show these enthusiastic young students how biochemical engineering enhances the quality of our lives. The students were totally engaged in the activities working with their team and displayed a real enthusiasm for meeting challenges and solving problems. The UK has a pressing need for outstanding scientists and engineers, and The Smallpeice Trust courses are an excellent way of showing our most capable young people the attractions of a scientific career. I hope the young people have a feeling for what it’s like to live, work and study at an international leading university.”

 The feedback from the students was very positive. Just some of the comments included: “I really enjoyed the course and found it very interesting. I feel that I have learned a great deal from this course; I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and found it to be a valuable insight into my future; It was a valuable and rewarding experience that has increased my interest in engineering.”

Gemma Murphy, Head of Marketing and Development at The Smallpeice Trust commented: “We are delighted that UCL have partnered with us to run this brand new course.  The course has proved very popular with students and was heavily oversubscribed.  It has successfully demonstrated the importance of biochemical engineering to those 25 students who attended and offered them a valuable insight into what a career in this worthwhile sector would entail.”

The Biochemical Engineering course is organised by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 18,175 students across the UK in the past year.

The new course timetable for 2013 will be launched in the autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.

The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”

The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.

In the past academic year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 18,175 young people through 37 different subsidised 4-day residential courses and 1-day in-school STEM Days. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 674 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom.

A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses.

For more information about The Smallpeice Trust visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk

Contacts:

Claire Fisher
Marketing Officer
Tel:  01926 333203
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: clairef@smallpeicetrust.org.uk

Gemma Murphy
Head of Marketing and Development
Tel: 01926 333214
Fax: 01926 333202
Email: gemmam@smallpeicetrust.org.uk

The Smallpeice Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England. Company number 00882371. Registered office, Holly House, 74 Upper Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4JL. Registered Charity number 313719.