EMPLOYEES at Dyson have inspired design technology and music pupils from Malmesbury School with an acoustics workshop held by noise and vibration engineers, to show them how important acoustical engineering is to product development.

Pupils were invited to the Dyson headquarters in Malmesbury and asked to build a harmonica using only lollipop sticks, elastic bands and drinking straws. The challenge was an example of the Challenge Cards, the James Dyson Foundation's Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths resource. The cards are a pack off 44 challenges that use materials you would normally find in the home. The aim of the Challenge Cards is to teach valuable engineering principles by encouraging wrong thinking, perseverance and problem solving, which are all qualities of engineers.

They were also given talks by the noise and vibration engineers who spoke about what inspired them to pursue a career in engineering, and conducted a noise vibration demonstration.

Global Head of the James Dyson Foundation, Helen Boardman, said: "It is incredibly important to show young people the variety of engineering career paths that are available to them. The students now have an insight into how Dyson engineers solve real noise and vibration problems."

Music teacher at Malmesbury School Chris Knibbs, said: “Dyson have shown the students that the arts and the sciences belong in the same workplace.

"We really appreciate opportunities that engage the students and allow them to experiment with career path ideas.”

The workshop was organised by the James Dyson Foundation, Dyson’s registered charity that aims to inspire future engineers.