Youngsters boldly go

13/Sep/2007

Futuristic space age designs have won a team of pupils from Durham High School a place in the grand final of the North East’s biggest schools design competition.

Anne Smith, Hayley Bradley, Emma Clement, Sarah Goulding, Catherine Harrison won their teamwork heat of the annual innovation and design competition, Futures Challenge held at Teesside University and will now work with a local company on a real design problem from industry.

The team beat off competition from six other schools with their designs for a survival kit for the space tourists of the future.

While learning about the science of space travel and incorporating the latest emerging technologies, the students took advice from mentors from industry on hand to offer advice.

The pupil’s survival system would be made from smart materials which protect the body against massive temperature shifts, use liquid oxygen for longer lasting air supplies and produce water by mixing hydrogen with oxygen.

The device also included a lunar positioning system (LPS) and water purifier for processing liquid waste.

Incorporating technologies that already exist into their designs pupils tackled the problems of gravity, extreme temperatures, UV radiation and a lack of oxygen and resources.

John Andrews, Head of Physics at Durham High School said:

“We entered all our Key Stage 3 pupils at the first stage of this year’s Futures Challenge December and it’s been a great experience. Every year the competition introduces students to exciting new technologies and gives them a practical understanding of how they can be used to improve the world around us.”

Competition judge, Nick Gilling is a design engineer at BAE systems in Birtley, Tyne and Wear. He added:

“The students learnt a lot about the latest cutting edge technology and developed some great ideas on how these could be used in space. The quality of the team’s designs was exceptional and hopefully some of the participants will be inspired to take up careers in science and engineering.”

The pupils will now go head to head with four other semi-final winners to try and win a cash prize for their school and a mystery prize for themselves.

The three staged Futures Challenge attracted entries from 55 schools across the North East and tasked pupils in Key Stage 1, 2 & 3 with designing exiting products to make space tourism and holidays to the moon a reality.

Run by the Education Futures team at RTC North, the annual competition is in its sixth year and was established to help schools foster an interest in design, science and technology and encourage innovation at a young age.

Former teacher and project coordinator, Yvonne Williams, added:

“As well as giving pupils an insight into new technology, Futures Challenge helps improve links between industry and schools and encourages creativity and innovation in the classroom.

“At the teamwork stage of the event, pupils also have to control a budget which can be used to buy materials to build their model or advice from industry experts.”

Organisers believe the large number of participants reflects the popularity of practical based curriculum support initiatives like Futures Challenge, Future Focus and the Young Foresight programme. 

For more information visit http://www.rtcnorth.co.uk/foresight/education.asp

Contacts: Jamie Ollivere at RTC North on 01915164400 or 07950566182

Notes to editor: 1. Employing scientists, technologists, engineers and business professionals, RTC North helps organisations turn bright ideas into profitable products and services. Over the past 15 years the company has built a strong, credible reputation as an organisation that has delivered results that matter to thousands of companies across the North of England. To find out more about RTC North visit www.rtcnorth.co.uk