Buxton Community school recently had the pleasure of hosting a round of the national inter-school IET Faraday Challenge. Teams from the following local schools took part, Buxton Community School, Chapel High School, Glossopdale Community School, Highfields School and New Mills Community School

The Year 8 students taking part got a chance to become real-life Engineers for a day when they researched, designed and built solutions to real Engineering problems.

All the teams performed really well and it was great to see them confidently present their ideas, and demonstrate their designs, in front of a large audience.

It was a very close run competition but the team from Buxton Community School managed to just seal the competition with an outstanding presentation.

This year’s challenge was in association with THORPE PARK Resorts but the brief for these young engineers was shrouded in secrecy to avoid unfair preparation and research. The teams raced against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.

Holly Margerison-Smith, IET Faraday Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and practical engagement with real-life challenges relating to THORPE PARK Resort. The Challenge Days will give them an insight into the life of a real engineer, the variety a career in engineering can offer and just how exciting and creative engineering is.

“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 the next generation.”

Dawn Childs, Merlin Group Engineering Director, said: “Having developed my engineering career in several large organisations, it’s clear that there is a growing skills gap in roles where education in STEM subjects are vital. I’m pleased to see that Merlin attractions led by THORPE PARK Resort, is inspiring potential future engineers through The Institute of Engineering and Technology’s Faraday Challenge. Engineering can be creative, exciting, hands-on or office based; the diversity is amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing how the teams do and I hope this brings the best out of all those involved.”

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.

Each team member in the winning group will be awarded a prize and a trophy for their school. The top five teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final at THORPE PARK Resort in 2018 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.

For more information on the IET and its initiatives to promote STEM subjects and careers in the classroom, visit the dedicated websites for Secondary and Primary schools.