Trudy

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Trudy
Trudy is a post-16 learner taking the Advanced
Diploma in engineering. She got some excellent
grades in her GCSEs, especially in design
technology, physics and ICT. She has always had
a dream to be a Formula 1 driver, pitting her
wits against Lewis Hamilton but, being more
realistic, has set her sights on working in the
automotive industry, hopefully in a technical
role. In her spare time Trudy has a part-time
job in the local chemist. Her hobbies include
music, fashion and keeping in touch with her
friends via her favourite social networking site.
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Trudy Advanced Diploma in engineering
additional and/or specialist learning 360 GLH
generic learning 180 GLH
principal learning 540 GLH
Level 3 mathematics for engineering (180 GLH) AS
Level electronics (180 GLH) Trudy thought this
was a good choice as it would help her develop
mathematical skills and understanding of
electronics both useful for a career in the
automotive industry.

• Investigating engineering business and the
  environment
• Applications of computer-aided designing
• Selection and application of engineering
  materials
• Instrumentation and control engineering
• Maintaining engineering plant, equipment and
  systems
• Investigating modern manufacturing techniques
  used in engineering
• Innovative design and enterprise
• Mathematical techniques and applications for
  engineers
• Principles and application of engineering science

3 x functional skills at level 2 (prerequisite)
extended project qualification (120 GLH)
10 days work experience
personal, learning and thinking skills (60 GLH)
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(work experience cont)
Extended Project
Work experience
Trudys project combined two elements of her
Diploma innovative design and computer aided
design using the Bloodhound Education Programme
to help. First of all she put forward suggestions
to improve the schools security gates (which
always seemed to be breaking down), mainly
looking at the locking mechanism being used and
the keypad entry system. Trudy also researched
the cost and instillation requirements of CCTV
cameras to support security, presenting budget
projections for various systems and comparisons
on their picture quality and storage
capacity. Trudy then tested the effectiveness of
alternative locking systems and her preferred
CCTV option, using simulation software, finally
presenting her findings to the school for their
consideration.
Trudy found a placement with a local company that
designed small parts for the brewing and dairy
industries. Trudy was placed with one of the
technicians who was trialling modifications to an
injection system which was prone to blocking up.
She got fully involved in the testing and was
asked to draft a maintenance programme for the
new part to ensure it stayed in full working
order.
She also used experience gained from her extended
project to suggest the use of a microscopic probe
that cold be inserted into the new part to
monitor its functionality over a pilot period.
The technician was impressed and saw the
possibility of using the new technology in future
diagnostic testing.
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