Design+ welcomed transition year students from Tyndall College to the Design+ Applied Design Technology Gateway.
The visit gave students the opportunity to learn more about design, engineering and innovation, while also highlighting potential career pathways in STEM.
Learning from Industry professionals
The visit, held as part of Engineers Week, provided students with valuable insight into a typical day in the life of both a Design Engineer and a Design Strategist. Through a series of engaging and informative talks delivered by industry professionals and researchers, students learned how creativity, problem-solving, and technology combine in real-world design projects. They explored how innovative ideas move from concept development through to prototyping and production, and how design thinking plays a central role in developing user-focused solutions.
Exploring the 3D printing lab
A key highlight of the visit was a guided tour of the state-of-the-art 3D printing laboratories at SETU. Students saw first-hand how advanced additive manufacturing technologies are used to create prototypes, test ideas, and manufacture functional components. The demonstration of the design-to-print process gave students a practical understanding of how digital models become physical products.
Aircraft Hangar visit
The visit concluded with a fascinating tour of the aircraft hangar on SETU campus, where students were introduced to the world of aeronautical engineering and aviation technology. Seeing aircraft up close and learning about aircraft maintenance, design considerations, and engineering systems sparked great interest among the group.
Billy House, Industry Engagement Lead, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at SETU stated that it was “Great to host 30 TY students from Tyndall College today at Design+ Applied Technology Gateway on the Kilkenny Road Campus of SETU during Engineering Week, where they explored the world of design and engineering and gained first-hand insight into creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.”
Inspiring future STEM careers
This immersive experience not only broadened students understanding of career pathways in engineering and design but also highlighted the diverse opportunities available within STEM fields while encouraging students to consider future careers in these areas.
For more information, contact richard.whyte@setu.ie.
