Young engineers from localschool help to shape future

One-hundred and twenty-nine school and sponsored events took part across the UK to host 2015-16 IET Faraday Challenge Days.

Local schools including Bishop Bell, Cavendish, Gildredge House, Willingdon, Robertsbridge spent the day at St Richard’s Catholic College to compete to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge.

Teams raced against the clock to solve real-life engineering problems based on the BBC micro:bit – the small, programmable tool designed to introduce those in year seven or the equivalent, to the world of coding and can be used to create anything from games and animations to apps and scrolling stories.

Holly Margerison, IET Faraday Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days this year will learn how to code and programme their own BBC micro:bit in a very hands-on and practical environment in the hope that this will give them an insight into the life of a real engineer, the variety a career in engineering can offer 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 inspire a new generation with digital technology.”

The winning team came from Willingdon School.

St Richard’s Catholic College’s lead teacher on the project, Dr Durkin, said: “The pupils really enjoyed the experience building and using revolutionary equipment that all Year 7 pupils will eventually use.”

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.

The IET Faraday programme has been developed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Europe’s largest professional organisation in the field. Its aim is to introduce a new generation to the sheer excitement of science, technology and engineering.

It mirrors the problems that engineers face and the technologies behind their solutions. For more information visit www. faraday.theiet.org.

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