Page 43 - Gi flipbook February 2018

IGEM NEWS | President’s update

CATCHING UP WITH SHEILA

This month,
IGEM President
Sheila Lauchlan
challenges us
to question our
image of engineers and to
tackle the stereotypes that
surround the profession
they do not, or rather should not,
represent engineering as a whole. If
f you’ve read my previous this is a child’s idea of an
articles, you’ll know that I have engineer, how can we expect to
challenged every one of you to attract smart people of diverse
get involved in encouraging races and all genders into our
I young people into engineering industry?
and spreading the word that “Gas is This image is upheld further if
Good”. I’ve explained how the lack of you google images of engineers,
skilled professionals affects us all with almost all adorned with
directly, as UK GDP falls without them. hard hats, working on site and,
We acknowledge that reports again, male.
emphasise statistics to support a Stop. Look in the mirror –
particular point of view, so to check for that’s the real face of modern
myself, I carried out an experiment to engineering. Yes, we sometimes
find out what young people think being wear muddy boots or have dirty
an engineer is all about. finger nails, but mostly we are
I asked a school teacher friend to get skilled professionals working in
the kids to draw me a picture of an labs or at computers tasked with
engineer. You can see for yourself: they problem solving and imagining the ■ The resources listed in last
are all manual workers, mechanics in best, safest, most productive, least month’s Gi are still available, and
fact, and unmistakeably male. disruptive, financially viable, most Sheila is working on producing more
I have absolute respect for all lucrative solution, while considering for IGEM members to utilise. If
mechanics and technicians; they have people, environment and technology. you’ve got an idea and can help build
particular skills which I lack, and it’s a We are pretty amazing. So let’s shout up our resource suite, please get in
fine profession to aspire to. However, about it. ■ touch at president@igem.org.uk.

Finding solutions and mentoring others wasteful use of finite resources such
as fuel. Those who know me know
One member who took up my “The second question may be, there is no way I can solve those
challenge is Andy Fuller, a self- ‘Andy? Really?’ I know, me, helping problems! However, I can add some
employed consultant. Here’s his solve world issues using STEM… logical thinking into the children’s
thoughts: However, what the team at S4TP innovative solutions, which, due to
“A gasman, painter, joiner, quarry man need is people who can mentor their age and massively inquisitive
and two customer services managers children and help their thought ways of thinking, mean the sky is
turned up at Corbridge Middle school processes in identifying big issues and nowhere near the limit.
to mentor around 100 school children solving them. They thought my “This was only day one, and
as part of the Solutions 4 The Planet evolution, from an apprentice between now and April 2018 I have
(S4TP) STEM initiative. pipefitter through to consultant, the opportunity to work with the
“You may ask, why us lot? Good would help. I’ll let others explain the teachers, pupils and S4TP and enjoy
question. The majority of the nuts and bolts of STEM, suffice to say the journey of discovering what
grown-ups in our collective work for here everything we do in our industry these children see as issues and
a public sector partner company. is driven by these skills, whether we solutions. It was a loud day, and quite
The gasman, yours truly, was acknowledge them or not. intense, but hugely enjoyable and I’m
inspired to get involved by Sheila “The issues identified were wide looking forward to getting involved
following a very good North East & and varied. Many were social, such as and flying the flag for IGEM along
Yorkshire Section event. bullying, while others looked at the way.” ■

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