Introduction
I’m Keira Cant, the Outreach Convener for Glasgow University FemEng, and I’m excited to introduce Ask An Engineer, an initiative designed to connect school students in Scotland with real engineers - something that can be quite hard given that most of the engineering in Scotland is focused within the Central Belt. This project is important to me because it helps break down misconceptions about engineering and provides young people—especially girls—with the opportunity to explore careers they may not have considered. By creating an accessible platform for students to ask questions and learn from professionals, we hope to inspire the next generation of engineers. The project's success will be measured by student engagement, the diversity of questions asked, and feedback from both schools and engineers involved.
Project Overview
Ask An Engineer consists of two key components: an online Q&A platform and in-person outreach events. The online platform allows school students to submit questions about engineering careers via a Google Form, which are then answered by university students, academics, and industry professionals. These responses are published on a dedicated platform for easy access. Additionally, we aim to visit schools to deliver interactive outreach sessions that go beyond traditional engineering stereotypes, showcasing the diversity and creativity within the field. We have also visited schools in rural Scotland and have a residential trip planned to Dumfries and Galloway, where we aim to engage over 500 pupils in a single visit.
Development Process
To develop the online Q&A system, we created a structured form that categorises questions, making it easier for engineers to provide targeted responses. A team of volunteers from different engineering disciplines contributes answers, ensuring a broad representation of perspectives. The outreach sessions are designed with hands-on activities that challenge common perceptions of engineering and highlight lesser-known fields. We’ve tailored these activities based on feedback from educators to ensure they align with student interests and curriculum objectives.
Journey to Implementation
The process began with brainstorming sessions to identify gaps in current STEM outreach efforts. We recognised that while traditional activities like bridge-building are effective, they don’t always showcase the full range of engineering opportunities. By consulting with teachers and students, we developed a model that combines online accessibility with in-person engagement. Securing volunteers, coordinating school visits, and developing engaging content have been critical steps in bringing Ask An Engineer to life.
Challenges and Solutions
One of our biggest challenges was ensuring we had a diverse range of engineers available to answer student questions. To overcome this, we reached out to university societies, industry contacts, and academic staff to build a strong network of contributors. Additionally, organising in-person outreach days required flexibility, as schools operate on different schedules and have varying resource constraints. Moreover, reaching rural schools presents logistical challenges, as travel to these locations can be time-consuming and requires careful planning to maximise our impact. We tackled this by offering adaptable session structures and ensuring that activities could be scaled to different class sizes. Another challenge was that schools often lack the funding to resource these outreach days. This is where the majority of our grant from RS grassroots has been allocated—ensuring we can provide materials for the activities and make them as cost-effective yet impactful as possible.
Results and Impact
The response from students and schools has been overwhelmingly positive. Many students have asked insightful questions, demonstrating a genuine curiosity about engineering careers. The outreach sessions have been particularly impactful, with students expressing newfound enthusiasm for STEM subjects. Funding has allowed us to develop high-quality resources, expand our reach, and provide materials for hands-on activities that enhance learning experiences.
Conclusion
Ask An Engineer has proven to be a valuable initiative in making engineering more accessible and relatable to young students. By connecting them with real engineers and introducing them to the breadth of opportunities in the field, we hope to encourage more young people—especially girls—to consider careers in STEM.
We encourage other student societies to take inspiration from this project and explore new ways to engage with future engineers. It is important not to focus solely on the same schools but to make a conscious effort to reach those that are often overlooked. Through collaboration, creativity, and outreach, we can inspire and support the next generation of problem solvers and innovators.
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