Civil engineering
The Trust has always been committed to engaging the best civil engineers to work on its crossings. Bridge Engineers to the Trust have included Henry Yevele, John Rennie, Thomas Telford, Sir Joseph Bazalgette, Sir William Cubitt and Sir Basil Mott.
The Trust is committed to supporting the profession of civil engineering and promoting excellence and research in the field. Through the Trust’s own work, civil engineering is promoted to young people. These projects include:
- Publication of a book aimed at educators of primary school aged children – Learning about Bridges and a website providing access to free educational resources and fun activities about bridges, hosted by the Trust’s friendly mascot, Langdon the Lion (www.rochesterbridgetrust.org.uk);
- Sponsorship of an annual primary school bridge building competition;
- Workshops and events with primary and secondary schools including the Growing Scientist Project with Maidstone secondary schools;
- The Bridge Wardens’ Scholarship scheme; and
- Creation of the post of Chair of Bridge and Tunnel Engineering at the University of Greenwich in 2009.
The Trust is seeking projects which raise awareness and educate young people, their parents and teachers, or the general public about civil engineering, including the development of physical or printed resources, the organisation of events or afterschool clubs, or the carrying out of research. Fast-Track Grant Applications for bridge building or civil engineering events or afterschool clubs using the materials from the Trust’s website or Learning about Bridges would be particularly welcome.
The Trust is happy to support education and awareness activities aimed at any age group – previous projects have involved primary school children from Year 1 to Year 6, secondary schools, FE colleges, sixth forms and universities. The Trust will need to know how many people your project will reach and how their engagement and improved knowledge will be evaluated.
Given the Trust’s own heritage, it is interested in projects which research and improve knowledge about historical civil engineering in its geographical areas of interest and about heritage bridges and related structures further afield. A demonstrable link to a specific aspect of the Trust’s engineering history will improve a project’s chance of receiving funds. Projects need to demonstrate how research will be widely disseminated. The Trust may ask you to give an illustrated talk about your research as part of its regular lecture series.