High school students from across the North East have been getting creative at a prestigious event hosted by Newcastle Sixth Form College to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.
Students from eight schools across the region took part in the Newcastle Science and Technology Challenge Day, where they tried their hand at everything from building bridges to robots and electric vehicles as part of efforts to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects (STEM).
Science and Technology Challenge Days are held annually at colleges and universities around the country and are organised by MCS Projects Ltd, which helps to enrich the education of young people by giving them the chance to put what they have learnt into practice through a series of engaging hands-on activities.
The Newcastle event also saw the mixed school teams take part in an E-FIT challenge, which tasked the teams with using cutting edge software to create criminal photo-fit images after witnessing a dramatised theft.
The event took place in the new Newcastle Sixth Form Building, which will soon be welcoming its first students this September following its £22m construction, and was attended by Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear, Barbara Dennis OBE, who handed out prizes to the students.
The schools taking part in the Science and Technology Challenge Day were Gosforth Academy, Harton Technology College in South Shields, Monkseaton High School, Northumberland Church of England Academy in Ashington, Sacred Heart High School in Newcastle, Walbottle Campus in Newcastle, Walker Technology College and Whitley Bay High School.
Carla Melaco, year 9 student at Monkseaton High School, said: “Working with students from other schools made us really work on our communication skills. I also liked being able to think about science in a practical way and how I could use technology and maths in my career.”
Kim McCaughey, teacher at Monkseaton High School, said: “Today has really brought STEM subjects to life for our students and given them a better idea of what career routes are available to them. It has also shown them how these skills can be used outside of school education. It was great to be able to see inside the new Newcastle Sixth Form College building, which is fantastic.”
Newcastle Sixth Form College Principal Steve Gibson said: “I was delighted to welcome so many gifted and talented young people to the college, who follow in the footsteps of many young scientists who have studied here before them. It was great to see students working with team mates from other schools, quickly turning their minds to the task and achieving more together than they could independently.”
