Schools Engineering Charity Challenge

More budding engineers of tomorrow have accepted the challenge set by BAE Systems, and passed with flying colours.

After eight weeks of hard-fought competition, a team of students from Saint Roch's Secondary School in Glasgow has won this year's BAE Systems Schools Engineering Challenge.

The 12 schools that took part in the challenge were tasked with designing and building a model ship using just paper, card, sticky tape and glue.

Each school was assigned a BAE Systems ambassador to provide practical advice and explain the basic principles of engineering and naval architecture as they built their designs. The pupils were also invited to the Scotstoun shipyard to tour Dragon, the fourth Type 45 destroyer being built on the Clyde for the Royal Navy.

The completed models were then put to the test at the University of Strathclyde's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Each team carried out a range of challenges, including trials to assess their model's speed, cargo carrying capability, sea keeping and survivability in rough seas.

A fun and educational challenge

Raquel Taylor, a member of the winning team, said: "The challenge has been great fun and we've really enjoyed making our model and testing it. We're very proud to have won the competition and see our ship do so well in the trials."

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Surface Ships division, said: "The challenge is a great way to encourage local schools pupils to get involved with engineering and technology and show them the types of opportunities which exist in the industry. By taking a practical and fun approach, I hope that we've helped to inspire pupils to develop their interest in this area and consider a career in engineering."

The following schools – all from the Glasgow area – participated in this year's competition: Bearsden Academy, Clydebank High School, Glasgow Gaelic School, Hyndland Secondary School, Knightswood Secondary School, Notre Dame High School, Our Lady and Saint Patrick's High School, Port Glasgow High School, Saint Roch's Secondary School, Stobhill School, The High School of Glasgow and Trinity High School (Renfrew).

Supporting the local community too

As well as educating the engineers of the future, the challenge also helped support a great cause in the local community. Through a sweepstake, sponsorship and donations from senior members within the company, over £1,000 was raised for the local Erskine Hospital, which cares for ex servicemen and women.

This figure was also matched by BAE Systems Surface Ships, who had chosen the Hospice as their charity partner.