One-hundred and forty school and sponsored events are taking place across the UK to host 2016-17 IET Faraday Challenge Days during October 2016 and June 2017. Up to six teams of local school students will compete at each event to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge.
Teams must race against the clock to solve real-life engineering problems based on those actually faced on a daily basis by the Land Rover BAR team during training as part of the IET’s partnership with the 1851 Trust and BT STEM Crew. The Trust works to enable and encourage young people from a wide demographic to experience sailing, understand the career choices and opportunities in STEM subjects and act sustainably.
Holly Margerison-Smith, IET Faraday education manager, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and practical engagement with real-life challenges relating to the Land Rover BAR team in the hope that this will give them an insight into the life of a real engineer, the variety a career in engineering can offer and the central role it plays in our everyday lives.”
The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and computing by using creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.
“There is huge demand for new engineers and technicians and we’re confident that this will challenge young people’s perceptions of engineers and inspire a new generation with digital technology,” Margerison-Smith added.
Each team member in the winning group will be awarded a prize and a trophy for their school. The top five teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final in 2017 to compete for a cash prize of up to £1000 for their school.