The Lego 'build your own fridge' kits provide all the building blocks for a fridge plant alongside instructions and a guide to how a fridge system works. It links directly to the IOR FantasticFridges.com website that has refrigeration system and component demonstrations and highlights some innovative applications of refrigeration technology as well as promoting careers.
Edwin Bowater MInstR at FJB said: “the refrigeration industry needs to be focused on inspiring young people to become interested in refrigeration and entering this wonderful industry. Lego is a universal language that people of all ages enjoy and understand – most people will use their fridge daily and not even think of how it works. These kits provide the fun of building Lego, whilst explaining how a basic refrigeration system works. Interestingly, since developing this, there seems to be as much interest from all ages!”
Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR, IOR president-elect, is thrilled to bring the new Lego kit to her next school visit. 'This is such a fantastic idea! Everyone loves building with Lego, and using something so familiar to children and teens to teach them about refrigeration is going to be a huge success,' she shared. Cook also expressed her gratitude, saying, 'The Institute is incredibly thankful to FJB for sharing this with the IOR and our STEM ambassadors. It's a brilliant addition to our existing STEM kit, which already includes puzzles, crosswords, and fridge magnets. We welcome other companies to follow FJB’s lead and donate toys or kits to help us promote industry careers through our IOR STEM ambassadors. If you're interested, please get in touch.'
It has been a major priority for the IOR to encourage and support a network of IOR Members who are STEM Ambassador registered and can build relationships with schools, attend career fairs, and get involved in other educational settings to present refrigeration science fundamentals in an interactive, hands-on way in order to have a long-term impact on careers in the RACHP sector. Recent initiatives that have been paid for by the IOR Presidents’ fund have included refreshed content for the schools website www.fantasticfridges.com, training 12 members under the STEMAZING training scheme, and providing STEM Ambassadors with games and materials in their RACHP STEM kit.
Individuals interested in becoming STEM Ambassadors and/or businesses interested in supporting the Institute’s educational outreach can contact the IOR at www.ior.org.uk/about/contact-us.