09 Mar 2007 | Ref. 074/2007
Warton, United Kingdom. - Over 1,200 students from around 100 secondary schools in the North-West have taken part in the 2007 Rotary BAE Systems Technology Tournament. Divided up into more than 300 teams, the students were given an identical set of raw materials to tackle a common task. The teams had to design and build a small-scale ‘pipeline vehicle’ capable of travelling along a simulated pipeline and, for the intermediate and advanced teams, also clearing a blockage within the pipeline. Teams then had to demonstrate their design on a test rig in front of a panel of professional judges.
As part of BAE Systems’ support for National Science and Engineering week (9 – 16 March), the Company again sponsored the annual 2007 Rotary BAE Systems Technology Tournament.
Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director for BAE Systems Military Air Solutions said: “BAE Systems is keen to seize every opportunity to excite young people about science, engineering and innovation and to encourage them to consider these options when it comes to a career choice. As we look to encourage more and more young people into engineering it is important that industry, government and educational organisations work together to promote the exciting opportunities available in this field”.
Robert Dunn, overall event organiser and a member of the Rotary Club of Lytham said: “I am delighted with the outcome of this year’s Tournament. The response from the region’s schools was fantastic, with a record participation of around 1,200 students, bettering last year’s total of 1,000. Our partnership with BAE Systems as the title sponsor goes from strength to strength, and worked extremely well again this year.”
At the regional centre in Preston, Lancashire, Garstang High School and Corpus Christi High School Preston took first prize at basic and intermediate level respectively, while Preston Sixth Form College won the advanced level trophy. In addition to their trophies, the winning teams and runners up were given a selection of science text books.
At the regional centre in Leyland, Hutton Grammar School were the winners at both basic and intermediate levels, with no entries at advanced level.
At the regional centre in Lancaster, the winners were Our Lady’s Catholic High School (basic), Lancaster Girls Grammar School (intermediate) and St Aidans Technical College Knott End (advanced).
The students were presented with a basic set of materials for their task, which included a small electric motor, a set of wheels, paper clips, pulleys, elastic bands, drawing pins and garden wire. In their selection, the judges considered the use of time and resources, team organisation and management, design analysis, design development, use of materials and final testing of the solution. Winners and runners up prizes were awarded in each of three categories - basic, intermediate and advanced - depending on the age of the students concerned.
BAE Systems’ is a strong supporter of links with schools globally. Its UK education programme primarily targets 9 -13 year olds, with an annual programme of Schools Roadshows. Over the past two years, the roadshow has visited over 250 schools and 30,000 school pupils nationwide. The Roadshow includes an innovative theatrical performance designed to interest the pupils in science and maths and get them thinking about a career in engineering, before they make subject choices at 14. This is followed by a workshop activity, which is aligned with the national curriculum, and is designed o motivate and inspire young people and meet Design and Technology curriculum objectives.
In addition, over 350 BAE Systems employees (called Ambassadors) visit schools in the UK to support engineering projects and to give careers advice. A web site (www.baesystems/education) for both young people and teachers provides curriculum-related materials, runs competitions and gives schools the opportunity to sign up for the Roadshow.
BAE Systems is also the largest employer of advanced apprentices in the UK, with more than 1,000 apprentices in training at any one time. Apprentices train in a wide range of skills, from engineering, steelwork and joinery to business administration and information technology. Overall the programme had a 92% completion and retention rate. In 2005, BAE Systems received the Employer of the Year Award at the Learning & Skills Council’s sponsored Apprenticeship Awards. The Company also recruits around 150 graduates each year.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.
For further information contact:
Malcolm Adams, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 854 177 Mob: +44 (0) 7971 114 483
Malcolm.adams@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0)7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
