High flying pupils take off at the Make It with BAE Systems Enterprising Challenge
11/04/2011 The Manufacturing Institute
At the recent BAE Systems Make It in Aerospace Schools Challenge held at the Wychwood Park Hotel in Crewe, teams of 13 and 14 year-old boys and girls from 9 schools in Cheshire and Staffordshire competed to show that they have what it takes to Make It in the future.The pupils set about forming their own mini-manufacturing businesses and were challenged with designing and building unmanned rescue vehicles - specially adapted for a variety of emergency situations to a team of 'Dragons' from BAE Systems, Radway Green site.
In a closely run contest, it was Eaton Bank School in Congleton who were crowned the Make It in Aerospace heat winners with their multi-use 'Rescue Rover'. The team impressed the BAE Systems judging panel with a confident pitch and unique vehicle design and have now secured their place in the Regional Make It in Aerospace final which is to be to be held on 23 June.
Kings Grove School in Crewe were awarded second place with their bullet-proof, lead-lined 'Armadillo' vehicle designed to be used in military rescue operations and natural disasters. Keegan Bamford from the school also won a special 'Outstanding Individual' prize for her artistic flair and enthusiasm throughout the day.
Other winners included Kayleigh Fairhurst from Sir William Stainer Community School for 'Best Leader' and Jamie Willets from Alsager School for 'Most Initiative'
The staff from BAE Systems are more used to the development of advanced defence and aerospace systems however as a 'Dragons' on the day, they had their work cut out for them. Gareth Davies, General Manager of the Radway Green site said:" We are really happy to be involved in today's Make It event and to see the enthusiasm from all the boys and girls - it's great to see them getting involved and enjoying themselves".
Stephen Melia, Make It Event Coordinator at The Manufacturing Institute added: "Today's event has been extremely successful in highlighting the future career opportunities that the aerospace sector - which employs almost 50,000 people here in the North West - can offer young people. At the start of the day only 29% of the youngsters said they would consider a career in manufacturing yet this rose to 76% by the end. We still have a long way to go to improve the image of manufacturing here in the UK but days such as these are an excellent start".
The event was a collaboration between The Manufacturing Institute, BAE Systems and the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) and is part of a special series of aerospace themed Make It challenges which the NWAA are supporting to encourage young people to consider careers in aerospace. Alison Ainsworth, Image and Engagement Coordinator for the take Off in Aerospace campaign commented that "Meeting and engaging with school children of this age group is an ideal way to begin to change the image of aerospace and engineering as an exciting possible career opportunity, we look forward to working with other schools and companies taking part in future challenges."
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
1. Altrincham College
2. Alsager School, Stoke-on-Trent
3. Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College', Altrincham
4. Eaton Bank School, Congleton
5. Kings Grove School, Crewe
6. Maryhill High School, Kidsgrove
7. Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College, Sandbach
8. Shavington High School, Crewe
9. Sir William Stanier Community School, Crewe
For further information, please visit: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk
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