Continuing our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2024, we profile Darla Pearce, who is both an Electronics Engineering Degree Apprentice at Leonardo and a student at the University of Hertfordshire.
Achievements
Darla was nominated by a colleague at Leonardo and was noted for rapidly absorbing the concepts and theories of antenna technology. We learned that Darla has thrived in her placements, both from a theory and a practical point of view. She was also noted for her leadership in STEM outreach activities, organising educational opportunities for local students across Luton (see more below).
As a direct result of her work, the antenna department has further investigated novel antenna technology, which has led to several test pieces being developed based on her designs.
To begin at the beginning, Darla has been a degree apprentice at Leonardo since 2021. She is now in her final year of her BEng Electronics and Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Hertfordshire, having worked in a number of placements across the company and specifically in the electronics department throughout her time at Leonardo. These include Antennas, Microwave, Hardware, Manufacturing and Mechanical.
Darla joined the Antenna department for a three-month placement towards the end of last year, having had no previous antenna experience. She was introduced to fundamental antenna theory and concepts and had to learn how to use the departmental electromagnetic simulation tool, which she used to design and manufacture a dipole antenna, which worked at the required frequency. Following this, she started work on part of the company’s ‘applied research’ project area, exploring novel antenna feed concepts.
A key part of this work was understanding additive manufacturing (AM) fabrication techniques, exploring ways in which they can be applied where traditional machining would not be suitable. Darla had to apply this knowledge to an existing antenna feed and rework the design to achieve enhanced performance, only possible due to the capability allowed by AM fabrication techniques.
At the end of her placement, Darla completed a stage review for her test pieces, where she presented her concepts to fellow colleagues in the antenna department. Her design satisfied all of the requirements for the stage review and was passed with minor actions to be completed. As a result of her work, the antenna department has further investigated novel antenna feeds which has led to several test pieces being developed based on her designs.
Darla has now returned to the Antenna department to complete her final year placement and complete a BEng project, inspired by research concepts of interest in the antenna department.
She has particularly proven herself, we learned, with her practical ability. She approaches hand-assembly tasks with confidence and skill, for example. And she continues to help placement students with skills such as soldering and assembly.
Finally, her nominator writes:
“Darla is an extremely valued member of the electronics department at Leonardo who cares deeply about whatever task is put before her. She has proven herself to be capable across many different disciplines and has produced excellent work in each of her placements, in particular in her contribution to the antennas applied research project. She dedicates a lot of time to her own work, as well as helping other colleagues of all levels, both in project work and STEM activities. Because of this, I believe she is deserving of receiving an EW BrightSparks Award.”
Electronics Industry ViewpointCaroline Hayes, editor of Electronics Weekly, also shared her viewpoint on Darla’s entry.
She highlighted, for example, how Darla demonstrates a wide portfolio of skills, including antenna development, from a standing start, to additive manufacturing techniques, in a single placement.
“Participation in STEM outreach events is varied and interactive, designed to engage students and introduce skills they may not otherwise come across. Her nominator describes her an extremely valued member of the electronics department, capable across my disciplines, helping colleagues in project and STEM activities.”
Community
Alongside her academic and placement work, we learned that Darla has organised and taken part in a range of networking activities.
For example, this last year, along with a fellow degree apprentice, she has taken over as co-lead for Leonardo’s ‘Engineering the Future’ STEM outreach events.
For this, she has helped to organise and participate in several outreach events. One of these is a Leonardo event called ‘Rampaging Chariots’ – which sees high school aged STEM students build up remote control robots from kits of piece parts. To successfully run the event, Darla had to employ a variety of skills – from project management through to technical advice and support.
She also led the organisation of the Leonardo stand at the Big Bang Fair. This is a UK national science outreach event held at the NEC in Birmingham. She is also part of the team at Leonardo delivering ‘Girls into Engineering’ at Loughborough University. This aims to encourage young women into engineering, introducing them to various engineering skills that they otherwise may not come across.
Finally, she has also worked with the ‘Fit For the Future’ team at Leonardo. As part of this, she created and organised an onsite escape room, and was able to raise £250 for Cancer Research UK.
Congratulations to Darla Pearce!
See also: Elektra Awards 2024 – The Winners
