13 April 2007 00:00 Powerful lessons for Rutland pupils from Central Networks

Pupils at Uppingham Community College spent a day learning some practical new skills and seeing science in action when they created an electricity generator with the help of engineers from Central Networks.

As part of an industry day at the college, groups of 14 year olds were introduced to Central Networks’ plugin2engineering initiative, learning about the work of power industry engineers, as well as getting some real hands-on experience.

Steve McRobie, an engineer with Central Networks, the electricity distribution business for central England, has worked in the energy industry for 19 years.

He said: “Electricity can be quite an abstract concept for children to understand, but we hope that, by going into schools and guiding pupils through highly practical tasks like building a generator, they’ll develop a better understanding and a real interest in perhaps pursuing a career as an engineer in the future.

“Our plugin2engineering scheme is intended to help pupils see that what they learn in their science lessons has applications in the real world and, just as importantly, they can learn it in a fun and engaging way.”
One of the participating pupils said: “It was amazing to be able to make something that worked so well from a box of magnets and wires.

“When the motor was spinning, using the battery, I could imagine what it looks like on a bigger scale in a power station. This will help me remember the three components of an electricity generator - the conductor, the magnet and the movement.”

Plugin2engineering has been designed to support the teaching of electricity at key stages 3 and 4, and the materials available to schools can be supplemented by visits from Central Networks employees.

There are now 20 schools and colleges across the Midlands which are designated plugin2engineering partners, benefiting from additional support, including careers talks and activity days.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• E.ON is the UK’s largest integrated power and gas company – generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas – and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company. We employ around 15,000 people in the UK;
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – and via almost 97,000 substations;
• In 2006, more than 240 E.ON employees committed to long term volunteering projects, helping in their local schools to improve children’s skills;
• In total, 2,740 E.ON UK employees (representing nearly one in five employees) took part in at least one energy in the community volunteering programme in 2006, raising a total of £215,000 for good causes and volunteering for a total of 32,000 hours.

For further information contact:
Jane Branscombe on 024 7618 3681