Member Article

Leading engineer tackles The Walking Dead in Hartlepool

One of the UK’s top engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) President Professor David Balmforth survived a “zombie apocalypse” when he visited Hartlepool today.

Professor Balmforth visited Manor College, in Hartlepool, where ICE members organised a zombie challenge for year 9 pupils.

The activity used the Walking Dead-style scenario to help the young people to understand the importance of infrastructure and civil engineering, as they used their engineering skills to “escape” their undead tormentors and completed a series of disaster relief exercises.

The visit was part of the President’s two-day trip to the North East, which also sees him visit Teesport and culminates with the ICE North East Annual Dinner at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel on Thursday night. During the dinner, Professor Balmforth will present the ICE’s prestigious Robert Stephenson Awards 2015.

Professor Balmforth said: “Seeing the work of ICE’s volunteers with the pupils of Manor College was inspiring. Educating young people about the rewarding careers available in civil engineering is one of the key strands of the Institution’s work and this zombie challenge really makes it fun and interesting, capturing the imagination of everyone involved.”

Amy Wright, Consultant Civil Engineer, AMEC Foster Wheeler and lead volunteer for the activity said: “It was a fantastic event, which everyone enjoyed, and I hope the students benefitted from the experience which highlighted the importance of civil engineering in the immediate aftermath of disasters.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Penny Marshall .