Lego lessons for engineers
MERSEY Gateway volunteers have been giving lessons using Lego as part of a programme to find the next generation of civil engineers in Widnes.
Merseylink – the construction joint venture building the iconic Mersey Gateway bridge – has been offering the special lessons to primary schools so children can find out how to become bridge builders when they grow up.
Volunteers visited Lunts Heath Primary School in Widnes to view Year 5 pupils’ presentations on the new bridge and what it would mean for the area.
Jill Irlam, a Year 5 teacher at the school, said the presentations were the culmination of six weeks’ of work that had focused on the new Mersey Gateway bridge.
She said her pupils had been ‘inspired’ by the project, and excited about using Lego to explore the design of the bridge, with many now talking about ● becoming civil engineers themselves.
She said: “They’ve absolutely loved this project. Their work has involved them looking at all aspects of the Mersey Gateway bridge, as well as learning about different types of bridges, and how they are built.
“The project and the Mersey Gateway volunteers, many of them former engineers themselves, have given the children a great insight into what it’s like to be an engineer.
“It’s been very positive.”
The children have learned what civil engineering is and what civil engineers do, how structures are built and what makes a wellbuilt bridge.
Pupils are then given the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test by using Lego to explore different ways of building bridges.
Merseylink’s liaison officer Karen Nicholson said: “The Mersey Gateway is one of the biggest infrastructure projects currently under way in the UK and it’s right on the doorstep of our local primary schools.
“We hope these sessions will encourage children to think about becoming civil engineers when they are older.”
The sessions are aimed at 6-11 year olds.
Primary schools interested in hosting a Lego lesson can email info@merseylink.com