I THINK LIKE BRUNEL, THEREFORE I AM… AN ‘APPRENTICE’!

Apprentice - credit Stephen Lewis

Pupils at Redland Green School have needed to think like Isambard Kingdom Brunel this week as they took part in a BBC ‘The Apprentice' style challenge to design a new SS Great Britain.

A total of 200 year nine students started their week at Brunel's SS Great Britain by following an engineering ship's trail to discover how forward-thinking Brunel's ideas were, and what problems he encountered when designing the world's first iron, propeller-driven, steam ship in 1843. They met with SS Great Britain Trust volunteer Tim Watson - aka ‘Sir Alan Sugar' - and his team. He demanded the highest standards as pupils worked in groups to gather ideas and produce business plans and sketches of their proposed designs.

Back at school, each group divided up tasks from product design and engineering to finance. Pupils have had to account for budgets and make appointments to get technical advice about their plans with Matthew Heywood and Will Reynolds, the on-hand maritime engineering experts, from BMT Defence Services.

At the end of the week the groups will pitch their final business plan and sketches to the panel of judges including Tim ‘Sir Alan' Watson, joined by the Trust's own ‘Margaret and Nick' (Volunteer Education Assistants Linda Harrison and Neil Light). As in every ‘The Apprentice' show, Tim will also ask for input from his special advisors Matthew Heywood, Will Reynolds, the maritime engineering experts, and Roger Cooper, Managing Director of BMT Defence Services.

The week is also an opportunity for the SS Great Britain Trust to pilot ideas for the ‘Future Brunels' education programme, designed to encourage young people into careers in science and engineering. It will be launched as part of the Brunel Institute conservation and learning centre, due to open in 2010.

Helen Horler, Education & Access Officer for the SS Great Britain Trust, said: "We have been working in close partnership with Redland Green School and BMT Defence Services to plan this week-long event. We have many resources from a science and engineering, as well as a historical perspective, which pupils can use to gather information for their projects. Most inspiringly, of course, in our view is Brunel's masterpiece, the SS Great Britain. It is a fantastic opportunity to enthuse students about science and engineering, and I am looking forward to seeing their creative ideas and plans!"

Adele Fletcher, Lead Teacher for Gifted and Talented Students at Redland Green School said: "This is an exciting time to be able to work with students in a truly cross-curricular format which encompasses Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and involves a leading museum and local businesses. Our students are very excited and looking forward to challenge."

Roy Quilliam, Technical Director at BMT Defence Services said: "BMT has long been involved with local schools and universities around the Bristol and Bath area.  We are keen to encourage young minds to discover engineering and the satisfaction and rewards it brings. We are delighted to be involved in this project and continue the relationship we have with Brunel's SS Great Britain.  In her day, her design was truly innovative.  We strive to take similar progressive steps today.  We see helping young people to harness their creative abilities as key to maintaining Great Britain's leading role in innovating the technological developments of the future."

Tim ‘Sir Alan' Watson has promised not to fire anyone unless absolutely necessary!

Timetable for the week-long challenge:

Monday: Engineering - based ship's trail at Brunel's SS Great Britain, ‘Scrapheap Challenge'

Tuesday: Engineering - based ship's trail at Brunel's SS Great Britain. Engineering - based ship's trail at Brunel's SS Great Britain. Pupils get their first glimpse of Tim ‘Sir Alan' Watson, ‘Scrapheap Challenge'.

Wednesday: Tim ‘Sir Alan' Watson takes his ‘The Apprentice' team to Redland Green School - school pupils split into groups and spend the day being assessed as they develop sketches of a new SS Great Britain and the designs must be within budgetary, safety and environmental constraints. Matthew Heywood and Will Reynolds (maritime engineer consultants) are on hand to provide advice.

Thursday: Each group divides into product design, engineers and finance, focusing on their own area of the business plan. The group pitches its final business plan and sketches to the judges.

For more information about school visits and education workshops please go to ssgreatbritain.org.

To book a school visit or education workshop call 0117 926 0680.