Forth Valley College hosted a heat of a UK wide technology competition which aims to uncover ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers’.
A total of 140 youngsters in 14 teams of 11-14 year-olds – from local high schools – took part in the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge which was held in the Falkirk Campus Main Hall on Tuesday 6 February.
As one of 25 regional heats of the of the Challenge, the event saw students involved in “aviation missions”, competing for a place at the UK finals to be held at The Big Bang Fair in March.
The Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge introduces student teams to real-world engineering, technology, robotics and computing challenges. The challenge aims to help students put their school learning into context and discover exciting new careers.
Each of the 14 teams taking part received free LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) resources.
The teams had learned how to build, program and control these autonomous LEGO robots to complete a series of short, exciting aviation themed missions. On the day students also had to research, design and present their own solution to a contemporary engineering problem faced by STEM professionals in the aviation industry. They also demonstrated the skills they’ve learned in the Falkirk Campus Main Hall.
Research from EngineeringUK, who run the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge, shows that communicating engineering careers to young people is vital for the future of the British economy.
Kenny McInnes, Head of FVC’s Department of Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering, said: “We were delighted to host a heat of such a prestigious event which will inspire, enthuse and benefit high school pupils in a field of study which is becoming ever more important in this day and age. The skills and talent on display has been tremendous and we wish the heat winners all the best in the competition going forward.”
EngineeringUK’s Chief Executive, Mark Titterington, said: “In order to meet the country’s demand for engineers we need to inspire more young people to consider a career in the industry entering the engineering industry.
“Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge aims to help young people from all backgrounds understand the variety, excitement and opportunity presented by a career in engineering.”
For more information on the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge please visit robotics.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk.
