We are thrilled to introduce an exciting opportunity for your pupils through a new collaboration with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Together, we aim to inspire young learners across West Cumbria by delivering the innovative Cumbria Traders workshop.
What is Cumbria Traders?
Cumbria Traders is a team-based strategy workshop that aligns with curriculum learning outcomes in Maths, Numeracy & Geometry, Problem Solving and Teamwork, and essential skills such as listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and teamwork.
- Location: Face-to-face at your school
- Suitable for: Key Stage 2
- Time required: 2 hours
Cumbria Traders is a team-based strategy workshop themed on the diverse industries of Cumbria. The class aim is to grow the Cumbrian economy into a thriving and sustainable region, but this can only be achieved through cooperation between teams. A giant construction and resource map is used to emulate progress.
Teams should also look to become their own masters of industry and gain a financial edge, achieved through careful planning, negotiation, and entrepreneurship.
Traders aims to align with curriculum specific learning outcomes by:
- Developing essential skills such as teamwork, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving
- Providing insight into project management and the dynamics of the local economy
- Demonstrating how businesses work together to create a thriving community
IMechE’s Role in Supporting Schools
With funding from Sellafield Ltd’s SIX programme and OneAim, the Primary Business Partnership (PBP) worked closely with teachers and Red Pike Education to design engaging workshops that align with school curriculum and pupil needs.
Our new partnership with IMECHE has seen their members participate in train the trainer Cumbria Traders workshops, which enable us to expand our reach into more schools and support their aspirations to deliver meaningful outreach into local schools to inspire the next generation of engineers.
Why It Matters
Amanda Dixon from IMechE shared her thoughts on the initiative:
“Cumbria Traders is a high-energy game that involves multiple teams being given starting blocks, money, and a map of Cumbria. Teams use a business portfolio to decide what to build, such as Sellafield, wind farms, or Lake District hotels. It involves strategy, accountancy, and trading with the bank and between groups to build the economy of Cumbria. It’s interactive and fun and is mapped to years 5 and 6, although doing the training we ranged from 20s to 70s and all really enjoyed it.”
Get Involved!
We would love to bring Cumbria Traders to your school and give your pupils the opportunity to participate in this exciting, hands-on experience.
If you’re interested in arranging a session, please contact Rebecca Day at rebecca.day@cforlp.org.uk or Click here to book now or if you need more info
