Hosted annually by the internationally renowned Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) at Bedfordshire, six teams of Year 8 pupils (aged 12 and 13) from schools across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes took part in the Faraday Challenge.

This year’s challenge saw teams of six tasked with building a rocket and transporter, with each member given a specific role, ranging from accountant to aerospace designer, related to the fields of mathematics, science or engineering.

“The Faraday Challenge Days give students the opportunity to research, design and make solutions to genuinely tough engineering problems,” said Tamanna Sidika, Bedfordshire’s Access Partnership Support Officer, who delivered the event in conjunction with the IET and the University of Bedfordshire’s Department of Computer Science and Technology.

“The aim of the day was to stimulate the future generation’s interest in STEM subjects.

“This links in closely with the work of the Access Partnership team, who aim through their programme of schools engagement activities, to inspire young people to achieve across a broad range of subjects.”

Emerging victorious on the day was Milton Keynes-based Walton High School, who impressed the IET judges with their innovative rocket and transporter design and presentation skills.

Teams from Robert Bruce Middle School, Bedford, Streetfield Middle School, Dunstable, and Challney High School for Girls in Luton, joined Walton High School at the University’s Luton campus