Engineering the Future: engineering a game

What does it mean to be an engineer? Using the techniques of games based learning, Engineering the Future working in collaboration with TPLD (video games developer, Dundee) hopes to provide pupils with answers. 

Engineering may conjure up images of constructing oil rigs, deep sea exploration or building the Channel Tunnel.  But is this all there is to engineering? Engineering is all around us, from lighting rock concerts through GPS systems to renewables and medical technology.

Graduate engineering careers require talented people but all too often 14 year olds cannot envisage the possibility of themselves working there in 10 years time. Knowledge is key to making the right choices in life, especially when it comes to choosing your career path.

Few pupils have informed understanding of what engineering truly is – exploration and creation. The Engineering the Future team and TPLD are creating an environment to raise awareness, build confidence and teach new skills where pupils collaborate to solve real engineering problems, all under the guise of a challenging multiplayer computer game.

Closely linked to the CfE and AifL principles, the project will enable a new generation of pupils to maximise and realise their career aspirations and potential through innovative experiential approaches to learning and teaching.

George MacBride
George MacBride is an Adviser to the Engineering the Future Project.  Before this he worked as a support for learning teacher in Glasgow secondary schools.  He has taken part in a range of activities related to issues of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and inclusion.  Most recently he has contributed to the development of Curriculum for Excellence as a member of the Curriculum Review Group and of groups concerned with programme implementation.

Laz Allen
Laz Allen is Chief Operations Officer with TPLD Ltd; he joined the team in late 2001 as a co-founder of the company. Since then Laz has led the development and institutionalisation of the company's processes and procedures required to effectively develop and deploy TPLD's solutions globally. As part of his operations role he is responsible for leading and developing the business administration function. His current responsibilities include product management.