Kingsley students take part in UK engineering challenge
Kingsley School Year 8 students embarked on a journey of invention at the IET Faraday® Challenge Day on January 15th. Under the expert guidance of Sophie Calienda, from Cognition the Kingsley sports hall transformed into engineering labs, where sparks of creativity flew and groundbreaking prototypes took shape. Fuelled by a spirit of collaboration and inspired by weekly STEM Pathway sessions, Kingsley students tackled real-world challenges with remarkable ingenuity and teamwork to create some truly mind-blowing designs and prototypes around a set theme. "Their creativity and collaborative spirit were truly inspiring," exclaimed Director of STEM at Kingsley, Benjamin Humphreys. "This was a day where these future engineers truly came to life and gained a real insight into STEM careers."
This year’s challenge was in association with The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and National Highways, but the brief for these young engineers is hidden in secrecy to avoid unfair preparation and research. Teams must race against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.
Natalie Moat, IET Faraday® Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in the IET Faraday® Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and practical engagement with a real-life challenge relating to The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and National Highways.
There is a huge demand for new engineers and technicians, and we are confident that this will challenge young people’s perceptions of engineering and inspire the next generation by giving them an insight into the life of a real engineer and show them just how exciting and creative engineering really is.”
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 winning team from each event will gain a place on the season’s league table. The top teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final in June 2024 to compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.
The IET Faraday® Challenge Days are part of a wider Education programme, made up of a whole host of teaching resources and activities to inspire and attract the engineers of tomorrow.
For more information on the IET and its initiatives to promote STEM subjects and careers in the classroom, visit the IET’s dedicated Education website.
