SLC Rail visited Hanbury C of E First School in Bromsgrove last week to talk to around 100 children about engineering.
The railway station specialists have a long legacy in the area, having worked for Worcestershire County Council on designing and building Worcestershire Parkway and were also involved in Bromsgrove station, which opened in 2016.
Along with talking to the children about the basics of engineering, Engineering Director, Sam Uren, and Apprentice Engineer, Lucy Dyer, also got the children trying on hi-vis and designing a railway station.
Sam Uren said: “We were blown away by the enthusiasm and understanding these young children showed. One girl, who couldn’t have been more than six years old, explained how groundwater works and the importance of keeping it clean.
“It was truly a pleasure to meet these young children, who have a natural curiosity about the world and the role of engineers in shaping it. We hope to see many of them pursuing careers in engineering in the future and making the world a better place.”
The presentation also sparked interesting questions from the children about engineering, such as why can’t we build all the way up to the sky and whether we can use a big pipe to suck up floodwater and give it to animals to drink.
Lucy Dyer said: “What was particularly impressive was the children’s consideration for different people using the station. Designs included parking bays for parents with children, people with disabilities, and those who use wheelchairs.
“We were also impressed by the thoughtfulness and creativity that went into their designs, which included a middle school, a jewellery shop, a hotel, and a daycare for parents to leave their children while they travel.”
This visit was inspiring for the children, showcasing the potential of young minds to come up with innovative solutions to real-world challenges.