Students became real-life engineers for a day and researched, designed and built a solution to a real engineering problem. This year’s challenge is in association with UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge and is based on future flight technology, but the brief is hidden in secrecy to avoid unfair preparation and research. Teams must race against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test. They then present their solution with their working prototype to the rest of the year group, teachers and visiting engineer. Students are judged on their ability to work as a team, effective use of budget for materials, concept of solution and problem-solving skills. 

All students were awarded the certificate of recognition by Industrial Cadets for their participation on the day, which also makes them eligible to apply for the Bronze Crest Award.  

Congratulations go to the winning team: Bess, Alexandra, Tess, Caitlin, Lola and Annabel. It was an extremely close contest and all students participated fully in the challenge, learning valuable team work and project management skills along the way. 

A total of 187 IET Faraday Challenge Days are taking place across the UK during the 2022-23 season. Up to six teams of local school students will compete at each event to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge. The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) by using creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.

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 UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge. There is a huge demand for new engineers and technicians, and we are confident that this will challenge young people’s perceptions of engineering and inspire the next generation by giving them an insight into the life of a real engineer and show them just how exciting and creative engineering really is.

Natalie Moat, IET Faraday Education Manager