Schools To Take Part In UK Engineering Challenge

Budding young engineers from 29 schools in Scotland are set to take up the task of researching, designing and building solutions to real engineering problems.

Five Faraday engineering challenge days will take place week commencing Monday 31 January 2011. The events are part of 45 Faraday engineering challenge days, which will be attended by pupils from 270 schools across the UK. The events are organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Monifieth High School in Angus will host the challenge day on Monday 31 January. Teams from Carnoustie High School, Arbroath Academy, Forfar Academy, Arbroath High School and Websters High School will also take part.

St Augustine's High School in Edinburgh will host the challenge day on Tuesday 1 February. Teams from Forrester High School, Trinity High School, Leith Academy, Balerno Community High School and Currie Community High School will also take part.


Lomond School in Argyll and Bute will host the challenge day on Wednesday 2 February. Teams from Lochgilphead High School, Hermitage Academy, Dumbarton Academy, Our Lady and Saint Patrick's High School and Balfron High School will also take part.

Ardrossan Academy in Ayrshire will host the challenge day on Thursday 3 February. Teams from Garnock Academy, Auchenharvie Academy, Greenwood Academy, Arran High School and Largs Academy will also attend.

Bishopbriggs Academy in Glasgow will host the challenge day on Friday 4 February. Teams from Bearsden Academy, Lenzie Academy, Douglas Academy and St Ninian's High School will also take part.

The challenge days aim to encourage more young people to study and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by encouraging creativity, innovation and problem solving skills.

Gareth James, the IET's Head of Education, said: "The Faraday programme is all about inspiring and attracting tomorrow's engineers. Engineering is often an invisible industry amongst young people. They also have preconceived negative ideas about what engineers look like and the jobs they do."

(CD)