DEC News - design...engineer...construct!®

December 11, 2019

11 Dec 2019

COYO CEO, earns Honorary Degree from Heriot Watt University

Our very own Alison Watson MBE, CEO of Class of Your Own and driving force behind Design Engineer Construct!, has been recognised with an Honorary Degree.

Alison received a Doctor of Engineering from Heriot-Watt University on Tuesday, 10 December, for her immense contribution to the sector and for forging new links between industry, academia and young people.

Alison has worked tirelessly, since 2012, to develop the ground-breaking accredited learning programme Design Engineer Construct! (DEC). As a result, many more young people are gaining real-world experience and developing highly desirable specialist skills in areas including structural engineering, surveying, architecture and civil engineering.

Alison has partnered with Heriot-Watt University in developing and delivering DEC since its inception in Scotland.

After receiving her Honorary Degree, Alison said: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the wonderful staff and students at Heriot-Watt University. Scotland is a special place with special people who have a solid respect for innovation and determination. Some of my challenges have seemed enormous, however the support of the University has been constant and I owe a debt of gratitude to colleagues who have shown me such respect, kindness and faith.

Read more →

in COYO, Headline News Schools /by Kate/#permalink

November 18, 2019

18 Nov 2019

COYO and Virgin Hyperloop One forge partnership for learning

The past year has been extraordinary at Class Of Your Own. We’ve been working closely with Bentley Systems, Topcon Positioning Systems and Virgin Hyperloop One to develop a new curriculum focused on ‘Future Infrastructure”.

The first exciting project challenged teams from four DEC schools to design a Hyperloop Station in their own towns, and then in a show-stopping finale, adapt their projects for a site in Singapore.

Students presented to top-class judges, including Virgin Hyperloop One’s Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director, Middle East and India. The team chosen to represent the UK’s young engineering talent were then flown to Singapore to present at Bentley’s ‘Year In Infrastructure’ and meet real life engineers working on amazing projects around the world.

But the relationship with Virgin Hyperloop did not stop there. Last week, COYO CEO Alison Watson met again with Harj and his team to formally agree a partnership to support more young people coming into the sector through the further development of the programme to aid learning and research.

The FUTURE HYPERLOOP accredited programme will be available for schools everywhere from September 2020, just in time for the World’s greatest show on Earth… Expo 2020.

Read more →

October 25, 2019

25 Oct 2019

DEC Students are Pride of Scotland at YII2019

A standing ovation took place at the Bentley Systems ‘Year In Infrastructure’ Awards when young DEC students Faye, Alizah, Ryan and Wictor were called to the stage by none other than Chief Executive Greg Bentley to be presented with a ‘Special Recognition Award’ for their winning work on DEC Future Hyperloop.

The four, from Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh were joined on stage by Head Teacher Jodie Hannan and DEC Teacher Mark Holden.

Read more →

in DEC Students /by DEC/#permalink

October 22, 2019

22 Oct 2019

Class of Your Own Announces School Curriculum Partnership with Bentley Systems

Here at COYO, preparing young people for working life has always been of the utmost importance. By the time they’re 16 years old, DEC students have a breadth of knowledge required by aspiring young professionals and also have developed a range of skills, behaviours and competencies that prepares them for a digital industry.

They naturally focus on people and the planet, designing for a world where everyone matters and are well aware of the positive impact a great building design can have on a local community.

Combine this positive impact with the major benefits that infrastructure can bring to communities in different towns, cities and indeed countries, and you can transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

After ten years repositioning the Built Environment as a top career destination for young people, we’re very proud to announce ‘DEC For The World’s Infrastructure’ with Bentley Systems – a new, dynamic curriculum for young people that allows them to design their own sustainable solutions for the global challenges of the future.

in Curriculum News, DEC & Industry /by DEC/#permalink

October 17, 2019

17 Oct 2019

The COYO Teacher of the DECade is…

This year, to celebrate COYO’s tenth anniversary, we began our search for our ‘Teacher of the DECade’.

We wanted to champion the impact a great teacher has on young DEC learners across the UK and beyond; a teacher who has inspired their students to aspire to a career in what we consider to be the greatest industry in the world.

Well, we’ve had some really terrific entries and it’s been so rewarding to read about their efforts and ambitions. It’s been SO DIFFICULT to choose a teacher that represents all that is great about DEC and education for a modern, Digital Built Environment.

But choose, we had to, and we’re delighted to announce the Teacher of the DECade is…

Samantha Morcumb of Atrium Studio, Ashburton in Devon.

Samantha’s entry had the WOW factor, demonstrating a broad range of skills, competencies and aptitudes. She epitomises what an extraordinary teacher a DEC teacher is!

Read more →

in COYO, Headline News Students /by Alison Watson/#permalink