Students from Wellington School became real-life engineers for a day when they researched, design and build solutions to real engineering problems as part of The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day on March 26th.
“Only forty-five schools across the whole of the UK have been chosen to host the 2013-14 IET Faraday Challenge Days” commented Tom Fasham, STEM co-ordinator at Wellington School. “We invited five other local schools, who sent a team of students to compete to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge”.
The brief for these young engineers was shrouded in secrecy to avoid unfair preparation and research. Teams raced against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.
Gareth James, IET Head of Education, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days experience hands-on design and practical work giving them a peek into the life of a real engineer, the variety of engineering out there and the central role it plays in our everyday lives.
“There is huge demand for new engineers and technicians and we’re confident that this will challenge young people’s perceptions of engineers and hopefully make them consider engineering as a career choice.”
The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by using creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.
The challenge was won by Wellington School and each team member was awarded a certificate and a trophy. The top three teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final in Oxford next year to compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.
“The Faraday Challenge Days are part of a wider Faraday education programme, made up of a whole host of teaching resources and activities to inspire and attract the engineers of tomorrow, and we are delighted to have been able to play such an enjoyable part in it,” concluded Tom Fasham.