Bringing Industry Authenticity to Traditional Taught Programme Elements

This paper discusses a project which leverages professional contacts to build industry linked activities into areas of the curriculum which are often seen as focussed more on fundamental theory and less on the wider aspects of practical implementation. While part of a much wider initiative, to show the process, we will focus in on one exemplar - the development of a learning package in support of pump flow - classic fluid dynamics, taught normally through theory classes supported by laboratory exercises. The new development however involved collaboration with a major supplier of fluid handling equipment with whom we had existing contact via recent alumni. The result was an online self-directed learning package combining a compact masterclass with a senior engineer together with a ‘have a go yourself’ active and adaptive mixed-media activity with a recent graduate acting as host. The paper reports on this experience, reflections from academic, industrial and student partners and offers a guide to those wishing to try something similar particularly in current Covid restricted times when physical involvement with industry is otherwise difficult.