This Week

Student Designs Take Flight at College’s Engineering Day

Year 9 students had an opportunity to let their engineering ambitions take flight at a special one-day workshop at the College this week. Around 50 students had the chance to work with a professional engineer in designing and making propelled gliders. It was part of a special Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) day run by ‘The Smallpeice Trust.’

The students worked in teams and were encouraged to consider how skills learned in Science, Maths and Design Technology lessons could be applied to the various elements of designing and making a balsa wood glider powered by a propeller mechanism of their own invention.

Once completed, the students’ gliders were tested in a fun competition to see which team’s design flew the furthest.

Mariam Khan (9.3) was one of the students who took part. She said: “I learnt about the job of an engineer which motivated me and gave me an idea of what I want to do when I’m older. We got to make aeroplanes and feel like real engineers.”

Marianne Lay (9.1) added: “I enjoyed  making our plane. It was difficult and there were some funny moments. I never thought I would have so much fun making a plane!”

Principal, Mrs Merrills said: “This is the second year running we’ve offered the STEM day and both years’ events have been a great success. It’s all about working across subjects and bringing together skills learned in Maths, Science and Design to let students explore how these fit into real world applications like engineering. It’s good, challenging fun for the girls. And who knows, it might be the trigger that launches a successful career in engineering!”

Miss Stanton