Empowering Future Engineers: UTC Reading’s Community Project Day
We recently had the opportunity to volunteer as mentors at UTC Reading’s Community Project Day. Partnering with the Amuka Foundation, the event challenged students to develop real-world solutions to improve infrastructure and education at Loruko Primary School, a rural school in Kenya facing significant challenges.
Alongside other mentors from companies like AWS, Mott McDonald, and Atkins Realis, we worked with teams of students tasked with tackling one of four critical issues facing Loruko Primary School:
- Access to clean water
- Security
- Energy
- Education
Each team were tasked with developing a solution to one of these challenges and had to present back at the end of the day.
The challenges
The issues facing Loruko Primary School are significant. The school has:
- No running water, relying solely on rainwater harvesting, which is often disrupted by migrating elephants stealing from the tanks.
- No electricity, with outdated solar technology that is no longer functional.
- Poor security, leaving the school vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
- Limited educational resources, with overcrowded classrooms and a lack of basic materials like desks, books, and even sanitary facilities.
Hearing about the school’s struggles reminded us of the importance of this challenge—not just as a learning experience for the students, but as an opportunity to make a tangible difference in a community in need. In fact, the winning team would earn a significant prize – a trip to Kenya to implement their solution.
Guiding the next generation
One of the most rewarding parts of the day was seeing the students’ creativity come to life. Early on, we saw teams brainstorming a wide range of innovative solutions:
- For security, some students suggested building perimeter fences or using natural deterrents like chilli or pollen to keep elephants away from the school.
- For energy, we saw ideas for installing solar panels on rooftops and exploring wind turbines as a renewable energy source.
- For water access, one team proposed burying water tanks underground to prevent theft and evaporation, while another explored the feasibility of digging wells.
- For education, students envisioned creating interactive learning spaces and integrating sustainable practices into the curriculum to benefit both students and the wider community.
As one mentor, Harry Chandler, from AWS said:
“I was so impressed by the students at UTC Reading—the detailed thought processes they go through and the way they think things through from finances and resources to design.”
Sarah Tennant from JLL added:
“When I was observing the students, I was really impressed with their diversity of thinking and the wide range of ideas they were coming up with. Everyone had different ideas, and the way they put them together was impressive.”
Read more about other Digital Futures events at UTCs across the UK
UTC Reading Bridge-Building Challenge
Presenting the solutions
After a day of brainstorming, planning, and refining their ideas, the students presented their solutions to us and their teachers. Each team explained how their project addressed a specific challenge, with a focus on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and community impact.
As judges, we evaluated the presentations based on creativity, feasibility, alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and potential to make a lasting difference for the Loruko community. The level of thought and detail the students put into their projects was truly inspiring, and we’re excited to find out which team will be flying to Kenya.
A lasting impact
At the end of the day, one team from each classroom was shortlisted to present their solution to the founder of the Amuka Foundation. The winning team will have the incredible opportunity to travel to Kenya and implement their project at Loruko Primary School.
For us, the day was a powerful reminder of the impact that mentorship and STEM education can have on young minds. We left UTC Reading inspired by the students’ passion, creativity, and dedication to solving real-world problems.
We’re proud to have been part of this initiative and look forward to seeing how these talented students continue to grow and make a difference in the world.
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