Students Compete in Smallpeice Trust Wind Turbine Challenge

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, March 23, 2013 --(PR.com)-- 400 students from schools across Wales have been recently busy testing their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) during a two-part Wind Turbine Day Challenge. The project was set by educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and funded by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The 13 to 14 year old students gained real-life experience working in small groups, designing and making a wind turbine which generated as much energy as possible, with a further requirement that the tower had to be free-standing and structurally robust to support heavy components and moving parts. The STEM Day was designed to enhance their understanding of engineering and low carbon technology with the winning teams being judged on the power generated as well as the aesthetics, cost and teamwork demonstrated.

Two winning teams from each school were then invited to take place at a grand finales day held at Cardiff University on 18th March 2013 where they competed against the other schools taking part in this competition.

During the day, the students’ wind turbines were marked against power generated, aesthetics, cost and teamwork. Congratulations to Whitchurch High School who scored the highest marks. They won £100 for their school and a trophy for all of their hard work.

Dr Andrew Cave, Chief Executive of The Smallpeice Trust commented: “We would like to thank the IET for sponsoring these educationally enriching events. Improving the current skills base in the UK presents a major challenge for us when it comes to meeting our low carbon targets and achieving our goal of becoming a leader in renewable energy. It is always very encouraging to see just how much students get from taking part and I hope that the day will have inspired them to consider science, technology, engineering or mathematics as a worthwhile option for their future careers.”

The STEM Days are run by the independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust as part of an ongoing programme of courses designed to help young people learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. For further information visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.

Notes to editors:

About The Smallpeice Trust:

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.

The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”

The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.

In the past year, The Smallpeice Trust has reached out to 20,353 young people through 33 different subsidised residential courses and in-school STEM Days. The Smallpeice Trust has also trained 913 teachers to enhance their delivery of STEM in the classroom.

A strong interface is maintained with industry, education and professional bodies that help to support, promote and develop the courses. Through these relationships the Trust is also able to provide a number of tailored or specialised courses.