Learning Grid
Encyclopedia
The Learning Grid is a UK charity that promotes hands-on activities related to science and engineering for school pupils and students in the United Kingdom
. The name Learning Grid is also used to refer collectively to the activities themselves.
The Learning Grid began as a recommendation of the Motorsport Competitiveness Panel, a body set up by the UK Department of Trade and Industry whose final report was announced by the then Secretary of State Patricia Hewitt
on 11 July 2003 . The name 'Learning Grid' is thought to refer to a motorsport starting grid, since many of the activities have a motorsport theme, although another derivation could be the representation of activities on a map or grid showing the age group on the X axis and level of time commitment required on the Y axis.
22 separate activities have achieved the Learning Grid quality standard, including Formula Student
, F1 in Schools
, Primary Engineer, Greenpower
, STEM days and residential courses run by the Smallpeice Trust, the Shell Eco-marathon
, F1 in Schools
, the Engineering Education Scheme
and The Year in Industry. Accreditation is valid for 3 years, with an annual review.
The Learning Grid has created a quality standard for engineering and science activities. Accredited programmes feature in a Guide published each autumn which is available to assist teachers in choosing suitable programmes for their pupils. The Learning Grid also runs an annual showcase event at Rockingham Motor Speedway
near Corby
in Northamptonshire
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The name Learning Grid is also used to refer collectively to the activities themselves.
The Learning Grid began as a recommendation of the Motorsport Competitiveness Panel, a body set up by the UK Department of Trade and Industry whose final report was announced by the then Secretary of State Patricia Hewitt
Patricia Hewitt
Patricia Hope Hewitt is an Australian-born British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Leicester West from 1997 until 2010. She served in the Cabinet until 2007, most recently as Health Secretary....
on 11 July 2003 . The name 'Learning Grid' is thought to refer to a motorsport starting grid, since many of the activities have a motorsport theme, although another derivation could be the representation of activities on a map or grid showing the age group on the X axis and level of time commitment required on the Y axis.
22 separate activities have achieved the Learning Grid quality standard, including Formula Student
Formula Student
Formula Student is a student engineering competition held annually in the UK. Student teams from around the world design, build, test, and race a small-scale formula style racing car. The cars are judged on a number of criteria as listed below...
, F1 in Schools
F1 In Schools
F1 in Schools is an international competition for school children , in which groups of 3 - 6 children have to design and manufacture a miniature "car" out of balsa wood using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and are attached to a track by a thin wire...
, Primary Engineer, Greenpower
Greenpower
Greenpower is the trading name of a British Charitable organization: The Greenpower Education Trust whose legal objective is to inspire more young people to become engineers by presenting the engineering industry as an interesting and relevant career choice which could help to solve problems ...
, STEM days and residential courses run by the Smallpeice Trust, the Shell Eco-marathon
Eco-marathon
The Eco-Marathon is an annual competition sponsored by Shell, in which participants build special vehicles to achieve the highest possible fuel efficiency. The Eco-Marathon is held around the world with events in Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, and the USA...
, F1 in Schools
F1 In Schools
F1 in Schools is an international competition for school children , in which groups of 3 - 6 children have to design and manufacture a miniature "car" out of balsa wood using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and are attached to a track by a thin wire...
, the Engineering Education Scheme
Engineering Education Scheme
The Engineering Education Scheme is a scheme run in the United Kingdom by the Engineering Development Trust to promote the education of school students about engineering. It is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's BEST programme....
and The Year in Industry. Accreditation is valid for 3 years, with an annual review.
The Learning Grid has created a quality standard for engineering and science activities. Accredited programmes feature in a Guide published each autumn which is available to assist teachers in choosing suitable programmes for their pupils. The Learning Grid also runs an annual showcase event at Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham is the UK's most modern motorsport venue and Europe's fastest racing circuit, hosting corporate driving days, driver training, conferencing & exhibitions, vehicle manufacturing events, track days, testing, driving experiences and motorsport...
near Corby
Corby
Corby Town is a town and borough located in the county of Northamptonshire. Corby Town is 23 miles north-east of the county town, Northampton. The borough had a population of 53,174 at the 2001 Census; the town on its own accounted for 49,222 of this figure...
in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
.