A slightly apprehensive group of Year 8 students found themselves in teams on Tuesday morning listening to a quartet of representatives from the Institution of Engineering and Technology present them with a challenge: to develop a safer road system for their local area, thinking about all stakeholders including the environment.
It was a big ask and the students were amazing as they settled into their activities. So many different ideas and approaches were explored, some were discarded, some pursued. Budgets had to be maintained and tracked, teammates had to feel included. Log entries anchored the progress through the day, and were part of the final award at the end.
At the end of the day the teams had to present their designs and prototypes, and explain their thinking as well as their processes and experiences over the day. Team 6 won the trophy – and everyone gained understanding of working in groups and approaching difficult challenges.
Student, Will Jones said: “I thought it was pretty challenging but I ended up having so much fun during the day.”
Team member Hannah Barwick commented: “It’s quite hard to work with people you don’t really know, but as the day went on you got to know all your team members and it was easy to work together.”
Next stop? That’s the Lego challenge, in the New Year!
