Students from Ulverston Victoria High School in Cumbria have won the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) national Faraday engineering challenge, securing £1000 for their school.
Three schools from Belfast, Cumbria and York attended the IET Faraday Challenge Days final at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London on Friday 19 June, after beating off regional competition previously in the year.
Inspired by the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire, the teams – made up of 12-13 year olds – were tasked with designing and 3D printing a smart beacon for cyclists, which had to contain electronic components for communicating information, such as the safest route.
Gareth James, head of education 5-19 at the IET, said: “This year’s IET Faraday season has been the largest ever and the quality of the student’s work has been incredible – the final was extremely close. This task really captured the student’s imaginations – it showed them that engineering is behind everything, even things that we wouldn’t necessarily think of, like cycling. I’d like to congratulate Ulverston Victoria High School on their win.”
The winning team from Ulverston Victoria High School was made up of three girls and three boys.
Team member Emillie Tyson said: “We’re all ecstatic – it’s the best feeling ever. To come this far has been amazing but to win is so surreal. It’s been so much fun.”
Robin Mach, KS3 Mathematics Coordinator at Ulverston Victoria High School, added: “We’re extremely proud of all six team members – each of them have worked so hard as individuals but also as a group. For them to make the final was fantastic but to win is a testament to their STEM skills.”
The students also won an exclusive 3D printed Michael Faraday bust.
IET Faraday Challenge Days 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.
This year’s competition was the largest ever season. Forty-seven schools, along with twelve academic partners and two of the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) research facilities across the UK were chosen to host the regional heats of the 2014-15 IET Faraday Challenge Days.Up to six teams of local school students competed against each other to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge. A total of 2148 students took part across the UK.
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.