Module #1
Introduction to Facilities Management
Module #2
The “Motor” Way
Module #3
Sustainability and Careers in FM
Module #4
Safety, Hazards and Risks
Module #1: Introduction to Facilities Management
The first module introduces the students to the world of facilities management – what it is, how it helps them in their day-to-day lives and how they can pursue a career in STEM.
The session kicks off with ice-breaker activities, designed to get the students thinking about their goals and inviting them to share what they would like to be when they reach adulthood. At the end of their final J.E.E.P. module, the students will repeat this activity to see if any of their career goals have changed.
As they progress through the session, the students are introduced to the first responsibilities of facilities management: electricity and lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), public health and plumbing, and sustainable development. Practical experiments assist to teach the theories behind these topics, giving the students a real hands-on approach to learning.
Finally, the J.E.E.P project is revealed and by the end of the course, the students must invent something which can be installed in their school to make it more sustainable.
“I think FM is really interesting. I might now consider a career in the FM industry – I like the idea of keeping people safe, it’s a big responsibility!”
Female student, Royds School
Module #2: The “Motor” Way
The second module shows how electricity, magnets and motors are connected through a series of experiments in small groups.
In a class demonstration, the students learn about simple circuits and fuses.
The students observed a Faraday Flashlight and how it works without batteries. Each student was challenged to guess how it worked, before the instructor explained that the flashlight is powered by shaking the torch because the magnet passes in and out of the wire and creates an electrical current.
At the end of the session, the J.E.E.P projects are worked on, by creating detailed sketches of the students’ inventions and noting how they will be modelled in future. Where possible, the students will incorporate the lessons they have learned in modules one and two into their designs.
“At first I thought that facilities management was just based around the boy gender but I feel like the J.E.E.P. project has encouraged me to see that it doesn’t matter about gender and that it’s open to any person that enjoys engineering or things like that.”
Grace – Beckfoot Thornton Academy
Module #3: Sustainability and Careers in FM
In the third module, the students explore ideas of sustainability in business. They are challenged to think of how facilities managers can achieve suitability goals by reducing energy use, waste and water use and by using sustainable products. As the session’s practical activity, the students must use and compare cleaning products and decide which is better for positive sustainability practices.
In the second half of the module, the students are joined by ABM team members to discuss in mock-interview style, what working in a facilities management company is really like. From the information gathered, the students must create posters about their ideal job in facilities management and use their presenting skills to persuade their classmates to join their group.
“The best part about the J.E.E.P was working with my friends on how to make the school more sustainable.”
Male student – Oak Wood High School
Module #4: Safety, Hazards and Risks
The final module focuses on health and safety responsibilities that come with working in FM. The students discuss the differences between hazards and risks, as well as the laws which are in place to protect us when either occur.
As their final activity, each student must respond to a real-life facilities management problem. They are challenged to identify the cause of the issue, create both an immediate solution and a long-term fix, and consider any long-term maintenance checks which will need to be carried out to avoid the problem repeating.
To conclude the J.E.E.P., the students present their sustainability project to the rest of the class. Together, they practice public speaking skills and build up their confidence when presenting in front of an audience.
“It was really good fun learning about facilities management. I hadn’t thought about all of that but now I understand why it’s so important. It was nice to have lots of us girls taking part.”
Female student – Brentside High School
Brentside High School
Northolt High School
Oak Wood School
Bradford Forster Academy
Abraham Moss Community School
Beckfoot Thornton
Royds School
Manchester Health Academy
