Junior Engineers for Britain Bloodhound K'Nex Challenge: Photo Special Part 2 (From This is The West Country)

Junior Engineers for Britain Bloodhound K'Nex Challenge: Photo Special Part 2

4:30pm Saturday 27th June 2009

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YEOVIL College head of engineering Andy Davidson was among the judges at the Dorset county final of the Junior Engineers for Britain Bloodhound K’Nex Challenge.

Andy was joined at the college for the final by fellow judges AimHigher’s Brian Duke, professional mechanical design engineer Mario Martins and Yeovil College engineering lecturer Lloyd Anderson. They inspected each design before giving it points.

There were four Level 2 winners. The Rockets (Lewis Wortley and Harry Buttle of Dorchester Middle School), the Ratty Toads (Henry Straughan and Billy Browning of Sticklands Primary School), Stalbridge Oasis (Dylan Stockley and Ryan Andrews of Stalbridge Primary School) and A Few Bolts Loose (Tom Cordery and Tom Foyle of St Mary’s Middle School) will compete later this month at the regional final at Bath University. All of the teams received prizes for taking part.

Judge Lloyd Anderson said “Thank-you to you all for participating and to the parents for letting you take part! It’s been nice to see the children build their confidence up today.

“Some of them were very nervous at first, but they were very positive and enjoyed what they were doing. Many of them had some great original thoughts and ideas, which they have put into their designs.”

It was the first time fellow judge Mario Martins, a STEMNET Ambassador and employee of Poole engineering company aeroform ltd, had been involved in a K’Nex Challenge event.

He said: “Today has been very interesting. Being involved with the kids is fantastic and hopefully this experience will be a positive influence on their futures.

“Both the children and the judges enjoyed today and talking with the kids about their designs was brilliant. I definitely want to be involved in future events.”

The event was organised by STEMNET, a government organisation dedicated to encouraging young people to have a positive attitude towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

AimHigher supported the competition and STEM Ambassadors Mark Dunkerley of Bath University and Vicky Humble of Honiton Community College were also on hand throughout the morning.

Georgina Humble, who organised the event on behalf of STEMNET, said: “Today has gone really well. All the school children have worked really hard and the judges were really pleased with their work.

“It was great to see so many parents and brothers and sisters here to support them too. Modern life is so reliant on developments in science, technology, engineering and maths, it’s important that young people have plenty of opportunities to learn about them and explore their own ideas.

“Who knows what they may come up with if they choose a STEM-based career!”

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