Education

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We are a key provider and coordinator of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education activities and support in Essex. These are for students at school and home, and are designed to both stimulate an interest in STEM and to open possible career paths.

» See upcoming CSES events for schools, children and families
» Talk to us about becoming a CSES Affiliate School

Competitions

Including our flagship annual TEXPO for schools, projects and online competitions throughout the year.

Imagine! STEM Club

Out-of-school clubs, masterclasses and projects to enhance learning with fun, practical activities.

My Smarter Essex

Interactive conferences attended by students, industry partners and the public sector.

STEM Club Bursary

Financial and in-kind support for your STEM Club, project or activity at school.

Resources

Careers guidance, STE(A)M activities, ideas and other material for all ages both in school and at home.

Your stories

Take inspiration from what others have been getting up to.

A Year 10 Student's View by Joe

CSES Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition by Joe, year 10 from KEGS

I'm Joe, and I took part in the 2011 CSES Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition. I entered a project I had done at an after school science and engineering club at my school. We were required to design and build a mode of transport for less than £10, and produce a project folder fully evaluating the steps we took to build our vehicle, and analyse the final product. I also put this forward for a silver CREST Award. My friend Dan and I looked at several types of transport to build, but decided on a hovercraft. Designing this hovercraft was a good way of developing our design skills, both on CAD and on paper. After building several prototypes, we decided on the one below.

Joe and Dan at the CSES schools' competition

Being able to build and test these prototypes was a great, practical way of learning vital Technology and Engineering skills such as problem solving. Completing the project folder also taught us a lot about evaluation and presentation, and about the harsh reality of deadlines! It was very fun building and painting our vehicle, and the sense that we'd really achieved something was brilliant.

We took our vehicle and the 30-page project folder to the judging event at Anglia Ruskin University, organised by CSES, and talked at great lengths to several of the judges about what we had built, how we had built it and what we had learned along the way. It was great being able to tell people about what we had done, and to meet and talk to engineers and learn about the opportunities that are available to us. It was an added bonus to the day that we won our category! We really enjoyed taking part in this competition, and feel like we'd really achieved something. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Engineering or thinks that it's something they'd maybe like to do as a career, as you can learn a lot, and I'd like to thank CSES for the opportunity.

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Applying for an Arkwright Scholarship

By Jonah, Year 11, Great Baddow High School 

This is the first year that my school has entered anyone for an Arkwright Scholarship, and it's been challenging as it was all new to us, and we had GCSE exams at the same time, but it's also been really enjoyable.

When I first read about it, it appealed to me because it was a chance to take my interest in design and technology beyond school. It's a highly regarded achievement which makes it something to aim for, and whether or not you succeed it is good practice for exams, applications and interviews in the future.

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Having an Arkwright Scholarship

By Dayann, Year 13

Being an Arkwright Scholar has been very advantageous and has given me various opportunities to experience topics and sectors of engineering that I wouldn't otherwise be able to get involved with. Furthermore, I have had the added advantage of being sponsored by CSES, which has allowed me to become a member of the society and attend the lectures they hold.

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Benefits of Arkwright

By Richard, Year 13, sponsored by BT

Just applying to be an Arkwright Scholar gave me skills that would be useful for a career in Engineering. Drafting my application, sitting the scholarship exam and going for interview were all good experience for a future career and for the university application process. Actually being a Arkwright Scholar has allowed me to pay for a Smallpeice course on Mobile Communications, as well as opening up opportunities to visit companies and institutions that have links with the Arkwright Trust. These opportunities, along with the prestige of the scheme, will mean that being an Arkwright Scholar will continue to be an asset even after I have completed my 6th form Studies.

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Arkwright Scholarship

Liam's Arkwright Scholarship

By Liam, Westcliff High School for Boys

For any aspiring engineer, the Arkwright Scholarship is something you should definitely learn about and give great consideration to. The Arkwright Scholarship Trust aims to award promising engineers the chance to receive a sum of money to aid them through their Sixth Form education and inspire engineers to achieve.

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