This year’s learners on the Engineering and Product Design course were delighted to have observed a full demonstration of bicycle and scooter design, presented as part of South Bank University’s Open Day presentation.

While explaining the courses they have on offer, the organisers treated our learners to a full analysis of the structures and forces of the products, including a scooter which had been developed to fold down to the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

The was given an appreciation of the development of an existing product; a bike seat - redesigned to enable it to be used as a bike locking system, eliminating the need for a portable bike lock, and making the bike appear broken, rendering it a deterrent to potential thieves.

Following the event, the class buzzed with excitement. Year 12 learner Osei said he liked, “The course layout that the university uses, as it deepens my understanding of what my next level of education will be like”. Sebastian was fascinated by “…The A4 scooter project, as it taught me different ways you can use materials and ways to bend them.”  Ben stated that he was now more curious about, “The different types of engineering and … product design as a career”. Amariah was inspired by the event and she was pleased to have discovered that, “You can do product design, and it doesn't have much maths involved except simple geometry."

Their teacher, William Plange-Rhule (Lead Practitioner - Design and Technology) said, "I was impressed with the engagement from the learners. They were able to relate what they are learning to university education and the wider world. They also benefitted from seeing how products are analysed and developed from a different perspective, which informed the quality of their non-exam assessment."

Principal Geoffrey Fowler visited the class at the moment of a discussion considering whether bikes could be designed to use ‘Spring Powered Energy’. “Fascinating stuff!” he said. "It's great to see the learners so enthusiastic, and recognising that what they were learning relates so closely to a potential future career in product design."