Over the winter term, I had the privilege of working with Year 12 students at Space Studio West London as part of their Aspirations Employability Diploma. This programme provided students with an opportunity to tackle a real-world geotechnical challenge.

Visit 1: Launching the Project & Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

It began with an exciting launch session, where I introduced students to geotechnical engineering and geology. We explored concepts such as geology, ground investigations, and foundation design, setting the stage for the project ahead. The challenge? To assess the ground conditions of a real site in Kings Lynn and provide foundation design recommendations - an ambitious task, but one the students were more than capable of handling.

Visit 2: Supporting

With their research well underway, the second visit focused on helping students refine their approach. answering technical questions, providing guidance on interpreting geological data, and supporting them in structuring their reports. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and curiosity grow as they applied their new knowledge to real-world scenarios. Their ability to analyse data and think critically was truly impressive.

Visit 3: Judging the Final Presentations

The diploma concluded in a series of final presentations, where each team showcased their findings and recommendations. When judging, I was blown away by the level of detail, creativity, and professionalism in their work. The winning team stood out for their well-reasoned analysis, but every student demonstrated incredible dedication and growth throughout the process.

Not only did the winning team excel in our challenge, but they went on to claim victory at the Aspirations Employability competition. This incredible achievement is a testament to their hard work and problem-solving skills. We couldn’t be prouder of their success and hope this experience inspires them to pursue careers in engineering and beyond.

We extend our congratulations to all the students who took part in this programme. Your hard work and commitment were evident in every stage of the project. A special thank you to Grace van der Velde at Spark! and Stephanie Lee at Space Studio West London for their support throughout.

At GEA, we believe that hands-on experience is invaluable in shaping the engineers of the future, and we are proud to have played a role in this journey. We look forward to continuing to support young talent and fostering a passion for geotechnical engineering in the years to come.