About the project
Capitalising on the popular ‘Horrible Histories’ by Scholastic format, this Royal Academy of Engineering funded ‘Eerie Engineering’ project aims to provide intrigue and interest in the engineering of sustainable buildings.
According to the Chartered Institute of Building (2023), women make up 15%, and ethnic minorities a mere 6%, in the UK AEC (architectural, engineering and construction) industry.
This project firmly advocates that a diverse workforce is more productive and imaginative, and that embracing diversity will support the flow of new ways of addressing engineering challenges, leading to the acceleration of economic and sustainable growth.
We need your help!
Teachers
We have developed three detailed lesson plans for pupils in years 6-8 (Key Stage 2 and 3) on quirky parts of our built environment – long drop toilet, window tax, and priest holes – to inspire more diverse young people to engage with engineering challenges.
Lesson plans:
Feel free to use and share our material, to create a more diverse built environment industry of the future!
See our recent visit to Holy Trinity Primary School.
Or contact us, and we may be able to send a human to help deliver a session.
Parents and carers
We have developed a series of Activities4Home materials – these are fun DIY activities that build on Eerie Engineering topics. They are designed to explore team-working and creative problem-solving in the built environment so your young people can see how their skills today could serve them into the future!
You can find these on the education pages and within the lesson plans. A combined document of all activities is available below.
Our team
As a team – Ange, Muhammad, Sharon and Charlotte – have been successfully awarded funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering under their 2024 Ingenious Public Engagement Award Scheme to inspire a more diverse next generation of built environment professionals.
Ange
Hi, I’m Ange. I went to Uni to train as an architect… I just love how buildings shape the way we feel. When I’m not busy reading, knitting, or running around after my BFF/daughter, I am a Professor of Performance and Process Management in the Built Environment. I have authored 6 books and nearly 300 research papers. I was the first in my family to study buildings – my parents at the time never understood what career would come from a Chinese girl in a male dominated industry – needless to say, they’ve eaten their words!
Muhammad
I am Dr Muhammad Qasim Rana. I was born in Pakistan and came to the UK to study to become a Mechanical Engineer. I am an innovator and creative thinker, and enjoy solving challenges. I was the first in my family to become an engineer and obtain a PhD. When I am not busy travelling, I spend my time leading research projects on ways to ensure gender equality in the built environment.
Sharon
Hello, I’m Sharon. At University I studied Politics and Modern History, which probably sounds as though it would have nothing to do with the Built Environment. But I really love learning about social history and how people live, that includes their homes and workplaces. I am really interested in sustainability and I spend my spare time looking in second hand shops to find interesting clothes and things for my home.
Charlotte
Hi there, I’m Charlotte! I studied History at university but did my very first work experience in year 10 at one of the local estate agencies in my hometown! I love the history of a building and learning about the way those buildings are built. I also love town planning and thinking about how a town can form, and all the different buildings you need to bring together in a town or city! My work means that I'm working in schools and communities to increase diversity in engineering and the building sector which I love! A highlight of my work is to be able to show the possibilities that our sector can provide.
Sarah
Hi, I'm Sarah! I qualified as a primary school teacher from one of the top 20 schools in the UK! I taught mainly in inner city London and loved working with students to find creative ways to learn. I have a doctorate in gothic literature, so enjoy the eeriest elements of history - no story is too spooky! In my spare time I go exploring with my 3 dogs, I recently took them on a road trip across Europe to look at all the famous gothic architecture.
And, we’ve handpicked a number of graduates from across the UK to deliver a number of public engagement sessions in schools near you.
We are all passionate about the built environment. And have put together some of our favourites on the Super Structures page. What’s your favourite building?
Feeling inspired?
If you fancy a chat about the project or our outreach programme, drop us an email: research@ube.ac.uk