What to expect

Last year the PEE planning committee decided that, following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and for our inaugural event, it would be sensible for the conference to follow a traditional format with which delegates would be familiar. The sessions primarily consisted of presentations with the delegates spending most of their time in a lecture theatre.

This year we are offering greater value to delegates who have invested the time to travel to Sheffield, by including more interactive activities and networking opportunities. When you join us in September, these are the types of activities you can take part in:

  • Keynote presentations: On each day we will have a short keynote for all delegates. These will be opportunities for the collective of engineering educators to get together and collectively experience the insight into the sector from a significant leader in the field.

  • Networking session: On the first day, if you feel comfortable taking part, there will be a networking opportunity to get to know one another. We are expecting delegates from across the UK and beyond, from a range of institutions. This activity will allow you to find out where people are from and their thoughts on and background in practical engineering education.

  • Delegate presentations: We will retain some delegate presentations within the conference programme. Depending on the number we receive, these may run in parallel sessions, but videos will be made available on our website to allow delegates to view these before or after the conference.

  • Facilitated workshops: A selection of workshops will be run, where a session facilitator will work with small groups to produce an outcome, reach a conclusion, or deliver some training. This is an opportunity to ringfence some time to consider in depth a specific aspect of practical engineering education and take away some ideas. Hopefully this will generate enough enthusiasm to build upon these ideas after the conference.

  • Demonstrations: During the conference equipment and systems used in practical engineering education will be on display.

  • Facilities tours: One of the advantages in a dual venue conference is the opportunity to see the laboratories and workshops of more than one institution. Tours of both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam facilities will be on offer for those that haven’t already seen them.

  • Debate: One of last year’s highlights was a debate between Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham, arguing if “the future of practicals is remote”. To replicate this success, another debate will be held, with the topic of “An engineering lab is different to a science lab” being battled out.

  • Round table discussion: "How do we assess practical skills?" A whole conference discussion about the difficulties faced when implementing assessment strategies for laboratory or workshop teaching. The discussion will result in some conclusions drawn or the identification of next steps.

  • Ideas exchange: We will be welcoming 3 minute, chalk and talk pitches from delegates to “sell” their ideas to the audience. These ideas can be concepts you haven’t had the time or expertise to develop or educational interventions that are still works in progress. Maybe members of the audience would be interested in collaborating? We will be asking delegates to have a think and submit their ideas between day 1 and day 2.

  • Panel session: "Practical teaching is a team sport." An opportunity to pose questions to voices you don't normally hear from in the world of practical engineering education. How is it that we empower the collaboration with technical staff, demonstrators, teaching assistants, industry and students?

  • Drinks reception: After a long day of thinking, contributing, and networking, there will be an opportunity to relax with delegates over a drink and canapés.