Local schools to take part in UK engineering challenge at QMUL
Students from schools across London and Essex are taking part in an IET Faraday Challenge Day (FCD) at QMUL in March.
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School students at a past Faraday Challenge event at QMUL
The students will become real-life engineers for a day when they research, design and build solutions to real engineering problems as part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day on 13th and 14th March.
For the fifth year running we will host the event in 'the Octagon' at QMUL. 8+ schools are sending teams of students, and we are the only university to hold a 2 day event in support of this.
169 events are taking place across the UK to host 2017-18 IET Faraday Challenge Days. Teams of local school students will compete at each event to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge.
Our event will be managed by a team of volunteer staff and students.
This year’s challenge is in association with THORPE PARK Resort but the brief for these young engineers is shrouded 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.
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’s 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.