Inspiring future engineers: Harris Academy students visit UCL

At the end of the summer term, we were delighted to welcome Year 10 students from Harris Academy Wimbledon for a two-day visit, providing them with a valuable glimpse into university life and the exciting world of engineering.

During their time with us, students explored our undergraduate teaching lab, where Andrew Moss, our Undergraduate Teaching Lab Technician, demonstrated the intricate process of PCB design, manufacturing, circuit assembly and 3D printers. The students were particularly captivated by the hands-on examples of student projects, which showcased the practical applications of engineering concepts.

The students also had the opportunity to hear from our Head of Teaching, Prof Sally Day, who explained how their current GCSE subjects could lead to a rewarding career in engineering. The session provided a platform for students to ask questions about university life and their future academic and career decisions. In the afternoon, they toured UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, giving them a taste of life at university.

Here’s what some of the students had to say about their visit:

“I enjoyed the lab demonstration where we got to see how something small can become huge, like the silicone transmitters. The liquid form of it was really cool to imagine!" - Sofia, Year 10

“I am definitely more inclined to go for it now that I’ve seen what the courses look like. The independence needed for a degree shocked me! It made me realise I need to choose something I’m passionate about so I’ll keep turning up every day, unlike school now." - Alex, Year 10

“Engineering is everywhere around us! It makes sense why they earn so much because they’re always needed. There’s always something new to make and experiment with, to improve our lives." - Joel, Year 10

Nicole Dettmer, Careers Coordinator at Harris Academy Wimbledon, reflected on the impact the visit had on the students.

“"Seeing the lab tours and listening to an actual engineer has definitely inspired many students to seriously consider a career in engineering. The visit made it clear that there are many ways to pursue engineering, and I’ve already noticed a renewed sense of focus among students as they prepare for Year 11."

We’re proud to support these budding engineers and hope their visit has encouraged them to further their interests as they consider their future careers in this evolving field.