Pupils from four schools across the East of England are the first in the UK to have taken part in an innovative energy-themed engineering challenge which aims to get more young people interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Almost 300 students aged 14-16 from Denes High School, Benjamin Britten High School, both Lowestoft; Litcham High School in Kings Lynn and Wayland High School in Watton competed in the one-day Engineering Earth’s Future competition which was staged by OPITO – The Oil & Gas Academy in partnership with Camouflaged Learning.
Pupils were tasked with researching, designing and building an energy-seeking prototype which helps the oil and gas industry seek out and recover pockets of energy hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. In order to emulate the real-life industrial processes, the challenge included a series of fast-paced and time-limited phases.
Each of the schools taking part had previously attended the interactive Energise Your Future careers event the Academy staged in Norwich in December 2008 where they got first-hand experience of the variety of careers open to them in the energy industry.
Jenny Chilvers, business and enterprise co-ordinator at Denes High School, said: “The engineering challenge was a very interesting and informative experience for the students helping them to understand how oil and gas is extracted and building on their team building, communication and presentation skills.
“The workshop helped them to use their knowledge in subjects such as maths, science and technology and see how important these subjects are and how they impact in the world of work.”
It is hoped that the success of the regional challenge, which took place at each of the schools throughout April, will lead to Engineering Earth’s Future being rolled out on a national level.
Liz Davis-Smith, the Academy’s Skills and Learning Development Manager in the East of England, said: “We have been thrilled with the enthusiasm, drive and inventiveness all students have shown in the last couple of weeks and feedback from science teachers and students alike has shown that they found it both a worthwhile and fun experience.
“This hands-on approach to science, technology, engineering and maths activities is an excellent example of just one of the ways the industry, through the Academy, is helping to secure its own feedstock for the future, increasing engagement and interest in oil and gas engineering both as a source of further study and as a choice of potential career.
“We hope to extend this pilot programme with further regional rounds and grand final based on heat winners.“