Scotland - education

ICE Scotland offer a range of educational activities for schools and resources for careers events.

Provision of these intiatives varies across Scotland depending on the availability of volunteers.

If you are a teacher interested in booking an activity please contact the ICE Scotland office.

In your region

Find out more about some of the activities we run and support across Scotland.

Whilst we do our best to accommodate all requests, activities are dependent upon volunteers being available. If you'd like more information or want to book an activity then please contact us.

School activities

Flood Risk Activity (first & second level)

This classroom based activity introduces primary school pupils to the idea that civil engineers work in our communities to help prevent flooding. The pupils learn about land use and sustainable urban drainage using easily sourced materials.

Giant Tetrahedron (second level)

A fun activity which uses maths, science and teamwork skills to build a structure 4m high! Using simple materials, a P6/7 class can learn about civil engineering and work together to construct a 4m high tetrahedron - far bigger than any one of them could manage by themselves.

Rapid Response Engineering Challenge (third level)

ICE STEM Ambassador 16-18 campaign training

This short training presentation is aimed at ICE STEM Ambassadors who are recording careers talks for delivery to senior school pupils in Scotland. If you’re interested in getting involved with this campaign or would like further information or support, please get in touch with [email protected].

Download the presentation

Civil Engineers - Shaping the World: A careers presentation for senior pupils

Have you ever wondered how we get clean water, sustainable energy, resilient transport systems, even the homes we live in? It’s all civil engineering. Do you want to find out about the different routes into the profession - foundation/modern/graduate apprenticeships, full and part-time study? Scholarships? And generally get the real story of life as an engineer today?

This short (12 minute) careers presentation is aimed at senior school pupils in Scotland. If you have any further questions about civil engineering as a career, please get in touch with [email protected].

The Queensferry Crossing

The Queensferry Crossing is Scotland’s biggest transport infrastructure project in a generation and will safeguard and improve a vital connection in the country's transport network. A new 1.7 mile (2.7km) bridge across the Firth of Forth is the most eye-catching element but the scheme also involves major improvements to the road network in the east of Scotland.

It will change the way people travel between Edinburgh and Fife and beyond by increasing reliability, improving journey times, easing congestion and offering better connections. The project uses innovative methods and cutting-edge technology and materials to pioneer techniques in civil engineering and construction.

• The new bridge is the largest by far to feature cables which cross mid-span. This innovative cable arrangements provides strength and stiffness so the deck and towers can be narrow and elegant
• Wind shields will almost entirely eliminate the need for closures during high winds
• Cables can be replaced without closing the bridge and dehumidification system prevents corrosion
• Thicker road surfacing with longer surface life which can be machine laid making it easier to replace
• ,li>An Intelligent Transport System (ITS) over 13.7 miles (22km) of 'managed motorway' will help regulate the flow of traffic approaching and crossing the Forth. A first for Scotland.

The existing Forth Road Bridge will be maintained as a dedicated public transport corridor for buses, pedestrians and cyclists. By maximising the use of the existing road network, the FRC’s connecting roads will result in less impact on the environment, properties and communities. The scheme is on track for completion in 2016.

What do you need to do to become a civil engineer?

If you're interested in a university or college course in civil engineering, it's important to make sure that the course you choose is 'accredited'. This means that it meets the Engineering Council's quality and curriculum standards.

Having accredited academic qualifications will make it easier for you to become professionally qualified as a chartered engineer (CEng), incorporated engineer (IEng), or engineering technician (EngTech). Use our course search to find accredited courses throughout the UK.

Opportunities in your region

ICE Scotland has strong links with further and higher education institutions that offer accredited engineering courses. Our Graduate and Student Committees across Scotland organise a wide range of events - many of which are free -  to encourage students to join in, and to develop their knowledge and skills. ICE Scotland has close ties with:

Universities

• The University of Aberdeen
• The University of Abertay
• Dundee University
• University of Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Napier University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• University of Glasgow
• Heriot-Watt University
• University of Strathclyde
• University of the West of Scotland

Colleges

• Ayrshire College
• Dundee and Angus College
• Edinburgh College
• Fife College
• Forth Valley College
• Glasgow Clyde College
• Inverness College
• Glasgow Kelvin College
• North East Scotland College
• Perth College
• West College Scotland
• West Lothian College