A national engineering challenge, which sets to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians, has launched in schools across the UK. Teams of pupils will go against the clock to research, design and build a prototype solution to a real-life engineering problem, set by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Thorpe Park Resort.
The Faraday Challenge Days, run by the IET, 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 in a fast-paced, modern engineering challenge.
169 events are taking place across the UK to host the 2017-18 IET Faraday Challenge Days. Up to six teams of local school students aged 12-13 years will compete at each event to find the best solution to a secret engineering-related challenge set by Thorpe Park Resort.
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.”
Each team member in the winning group from every Challenge Day 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 the IET’s 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.