(IET) Faraday Engineering Challenge Days
Budding young engineers from Chilton Trinity Technology College, The Robert Blake Science College, East Bridgwater Community, Heathfield Community School, King Alfred’s and Haygrove schools in Bridgwater area have proved they are up to the task of researching, designing and making solutions to genuinely tough engineering problems.
The group of schools were among 210 schools taking part in the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday engineering challenge days. The events, which kicked off in November, aim to encourage more young people to study and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The theme of the Faraday programme this year is Urban Evolution and is an exploration into the technologies that support sustainable urban living. With a focus on flooding and how to protect your house, the challenge was to design and build a machine that could move at least 1 litre of water in a minute, whilst working to a tight budget. All the teams produced great machines and showed true ingenuity in their design and manufacture. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with the team from King Alfred’s School, Highbridge (Specialist Sports College) winning overall.
Chilton Trinity Technology College were delighted to get this opportunity to host the event, especially when the snow meant an earlier event had to be cancelled. “It is great to have six secondary schools represented and competing in an engineering event so close to Science and Engineering Week” commented Director of Specialism, Paul Cadmore. On the 16th March Chilton are delighted to continue the promotion of Engineering by hosting an interactive lecture “the Rough guide to Engineering” delivered by Science Made Simple. It is a free lecture starting at 6.30, so everyone is welcome to enjoy an hours’ exciting presentation.
Gareth James, the IET’s head of education 5-19, said, “The Faraday programme is all about inspiring and attracting tomorrow’s engineers. Engineering is often seen as an invisible industry amongst young people. They also have preconceived ideas about what engineers look like and the jobs they do.
“Through these challenge days and the entire Faraday programme we aim to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects and consider engineering as a possible career path.
“The young people attending the challenge days experience hands-on, practical events to challenge their perceptions, and make them realise that engineering is an exciting, rewarding career path.”