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University Academy Holbeach Year 9 students take top prize in Lincolnshire Institute of Technology's STEM Challenge




Students have celebrated a victory after taking top place in a challenge that tests their engineering skills.

Secondary schools competed in the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology's STEM Challenge (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) with Year 9 students from University Academy Holbeach taking the top prize.

Lucas Glenn, Ross Newstead, Thomas Annible, Jacob Clark, Aaron Martin, Kiene Quinn from University Academy Holbeach won first place with their machine being the most accurate, with 97% of cylinders correctly sorted.

John Morrison, head judge and Principal of Lincoln UTC, Sophie Stewart, Head of KS4 and teacher of engineering at Lincoln UTC and Mick Lochran, director of Lincolnshire Institute of Technology. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography
John Morrison, head judge and Principal of Lincoln UTC, Sophie Stewart, Head of KS4 and teacher of engineering at Lincoln UTC and Mick Lochran, director of Lincolnshire Institute of Technology. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography

They were tasked with building machines for robotic production lines that could transport and sort cylinders of different sizes and they beat teams from Bourne Grammar School and Lincoln Castle Academy,

John Morrison, head judge and principal of Lincoln University Technical College, said: “There’s a massive variety in the approaches that they’ve taken by the teams, with some very ingenious, high-tech solutions and lots of terrific, low-tech solutions.

“What’s very clear is that they’ve all had a good time and learned a lot in the process.

Winners from left to right: Aaron, Thomas, Ross, Lucas and Jacob. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography
Winners from left to right: Aaron, Thomas, Ross, Lucas and Jacob. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography

“This is an event we run annually to educate younger students about the opportunities offered by LIoT a partnership of STEM education providers in Lincolnshire.

“Our ultimate goal is to encourage more young people to consider and take up careers in engineering and STEM-related subjects.

“The students here are in Year 9, so we’re very much investing in the future of technological education here in Lincolnshire.”

Schools were also supported with their projects by STEM ambassadors from high-tech companies based in the county.

Lincolnshire Institute of Technology's STEM Challenge. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography
Lincolnshire Institute of Technology's STEM Challenge. PHOTO: Stewart Wilde Photography

Matt Monaghan, engineering maintenance manager at Bakkavor Salads in Bourne, worked with the students at Bourne Academy.

He said:“ We do find it hard to recruit young engineers and it’s becoming more and more difficult.

“This is a perfect opportunity to get young people engaged in STEM activities and hopefully on course for a bright future in engineering - maybe even going straight into apprenticeships when they finish school.

“I came on board after the students had designed their machine and I’ve helped facilitate their ideas.

“I’m fortunate to have access to extensive engineering stores of obsolete equipment that they used to build their contraption. They made a dual conveyor, including an incline conveyor with a sorting system at the end, all powered by DC motors with variable speeds.”

The machines were marked for functionality, accuracy, speed, aesthetics, build quality and sustainability, with penalties for the number of human interventions required for the machines to complete their task.

Students impressed judges with their ingenuity and engineering skills in the contest which had a particular focus on automation and recycling.

The school’s head of science, Dawn Clarke said: “I am overjoyed for them.

“The project was very challenging and although I’ve supported them with ideas, it really has been their own work.

“They’ve put a lot of hours into it with a lot of lunchtimes given up, perfecting what was going to be a prototype, but eventually became their finished piece.

“They gave things a go and when it didn’t work, they worked as a team to readjust it, which is what engineering is all about really.

“They arrived not being at all confident of success, but they continued to work hard at perfecting it before it was judged and they’ve done a really great job.

“I’m very proud of them and what they’ve managed to achieve.”

The initiative focuses on raising aspirations and encouraging young people to consider higher education and career opportunities within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries.

The challenge was delivered in partnership with Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Careers Hub, the STEM Ambassador Network, Quickline, Nuclear Waste Services and the Lincolnshire County Council SEND team.

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