ENGINEERING MINDS
An exciting after-school STEM education programme
for children
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based in
South-East London
WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY
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ENGINEERING MINDS hopes to see more girls and children from ethnic backgrounds enrolling in our after-school classes. We are committed to breaking the circle of under-representation for ethnic minorities and girls in STEM fields.
In each borough we work, we offer free classes for children whose families would struggle to pay for the after-school programme. Currently, we have 12 free places for our Woolwich Centre Library Club, so please get in touch and let us know whether you need our support. In Bromley we aim to offer 12 free classes in Penge.
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We especially encourage BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) parents and families looking to enrol girls to contact us.
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If you're a school teacher and would like us to deliver a programme for children in receipt of school free meals, please contact us at: info@engineeringminds.org.uk
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ENGINEERING MINDS has a growing team of young volunteers, aged 16-17 who have a passion for coding and STEM subjects. Supported through our STEM MENTORS programme, designed to increase the mentoring skills and career prospects of young people, our volunteers learn how to nurture young children’s curiosity and encourage their first steps in this fascinating world.
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Our STEM MENTORS will be involved in Erasmus+ projects, linking them with like-minded young Europeans and creating opportunities for free international volunteering, youth exchanges and working in partnership within European STEM charities and social enterprises.
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All our STEM MENTORS are fully DBS checked and work with young children in a supervised environment.
Our Team - Engineering Minds
Irina Jarrett-Thorpe
Irina Jarrett-Thorpe has over 18 years’ experience in developing educational programmes for children and young people and has delivered numerous trainings across Europe and in the UK as a National Expert for the Council of Europe.
Over the years Irina has attracted funds from European Union programmes, UNICEF, United Way, local councils, Big Lottery and many other local trusts for community projects. She has developed and run successful afterschool programmes across Europe, supporting disadvantaged children and young people to enter higher and postgraduate education.
Irina has a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a second Master's degree in International Projects’ Management.
Dave Hand
Dave Hand has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and a 23 year career in ICT, working in commercial, technical and regulatory environments.
He has worked internationally - in New Zealand, UK, Belgium & Switzerland. His experience in Programmer and User Training, System Design and Software Development, full life-cycle system development projects and IT support services management has helped numerous companies to innovate and grow.
Dave has a passion for STEM education. One of his hobbies is film making and he strongly believes in empowering children to develop to their full potential.
He is also Head of Trustees for Newstead Road Pre-school in Lewisham and has a full DBS check.
ENGINEERING MINDS has a team of volunteers and supporters composed of sound engineers, transport engineers, IT experts, project managers from the community sector, child psychologists and young people in 6th-form passionate about Robotics and STEM subjects.
