Interested in
Background
Current Role: Naval Architect, QinetiQ
Engineering is definitely in the blood with grandfathers being lecturers in it and both parents studying it at university. It was definitely a case of when will Conrad become an engineer, not if!
He was fortunate enough to have someone spark his interest into Naval Architecture which meant he could combine his interest in designing & sailing boats with engineering.
His GCSE and A-Level choices were fairly straightforward.
After which he went to Southampton University to Study Ship Science (Naval Architecture).
After taking a year out to sail professionally, he started volunteering; combining the stories and practical nature of sailing with the theory of engineering (along with the industry need for engineers)
Subject Interests: Sailing, structures, composites, yacht design, naval architecture, careers, marine
What made you join The STEM Project?
I am keen to help raise the bar for STEM engagement, The STEM Project will help myself and others achieve that ambition!
What would be your dream project and why?
Something revolving around designing & building boats using novel, sustainable materials. This will help get young people involved through the whole process and opening up careers for them in the industry.
Founder of Conrad Manning Racing
Conrad Manning Racing
Born from Conrad’s goal of racing around the world in one of the most technologically advanced sailing boats in the world, the IMOCA60
Due to the wide variety of engineering disciplines that sailing has and Conrad’s own background in Naval Architecture a second side of the project has been set up to match his goal for the sailing to give back to the community, which is how ZAPA has come about.
ZAPA is a new business set up to generate more interest in engineering amongst young people. Growing from small activities and working with local businesses, schools and innovation spaces the goal is to create an engaging pathway that those students can follow to become the next generation of engineers.
Follow his progress on social media:
Twitter.com/racingcm
Facebook.com/ConradManningRacing/
Behind the scenes of a new STEM resource being created by UTC Portsmouth