Faraday Engineering Challenge

Pupils became real-life engineers for a day researching, designing and building solutions for real engineering problems as part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day.

This year’s challenge was in association with the James Webb Space Telescope. Teams raced against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.

Natalie Clerke, 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 the James Webb Space Telescope.”

“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 by giving 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.”

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 The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh in 2019 to compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.

Dr Alan MacBeath, Head of Physics at Lomond School said: “The event encourages youngsters to pull together ideas and work collaboratively as a team, but most of all gives them first hand project management experience.”

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.