Two pupils from St Andrews Primary School have won first place in a technology competition run throughout the Highlands and Islands.

Andrew Wylie and Connan Rendall won the K’NeX Challenge by building a windmill with working gears using a K’NeX construction kit. Their prize was a trip to Dynamic Earth and a tour of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

The competition was part of a drive by STEM North of Scotland to encourage young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). They work closely with primary and secondary schools across the Highlands region to explore different ways of engaging pupils, including delivering K’Nex workshops for all schools in Orkney.


All Orkney schools now have access to their own kits to continue to encourage the next generation of engineers.

The boys said of their prize: “I really enjoyed the flight and going to Dynamic Earth. The best part was the 3D movie about different environments.”

Graham Bevan, the Council’s Service Improvement Officer said: “The STEM programme delivered to Orkney schools by Ruth Falconer has been very successful and this fits well with our approach to the enriched learning experiences the Curriculum for Excellence embraces. The experience of schools like St Andrews confirms this is and we are grateful that resources like K’NEX are being used so effectively to inspire young people to learn about the technological world they live in.”

(GK/KMcA)