AWE graduates inspire the next generation

Secondary pupils from across Berkshire and Hampshire competed to win the annual AWE Engineering Challenge.

The teams were each given the same items with which to build a boat. Each team’s boat was then assessed in a large pool in a drag race, on transporting liquid and transporting cargo.

Teams from St Bartholomew’s School, The Clere School and Technology College, Costello Technology College, The Willink School, St Gabriels, Little Heath Secondary School Reading and Kennet Secondary School all competed on the day (last Tuesday).

Mr Anderson, Teacher from Little Health School, Reading said: “The Engineering Challenge is important for kids so they can work outside the classroom and apply their ideas, expand

their knowledge and work together in a team.”

AWE graduate Matt Kingston said: “We really enjoyed the chance to engage with the students and enthuse them in the subjects of science and engineering. We were very impressed by the ingenuity and teamwork with which the students approached the challenges and the range of designs which they produced.”

The annual event is organized by AWE graduates with a physics, chemistry and engineering background. Now in its 21st year, it involves students in hands-on challenges. The overall aim is to inspire the next generation to show the variety of opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

After rigorous competition, St Bartholomew’s won the challenge collecting the prestigious Engineering Challenge Award and the team from Little Heath coming second.

The AWE graduate scheme is now open for applications with roles in engineering, science, electronics, human resources, information technology and more.

Click here to apply.