Last updated at 11:13, Thursday, 23 July 2009

STUDENTS from Wigton’s Nelson Thomlinson School were given a professional insight into the world of engineering this month.

EYE-OPENER: : Students at Nelson Thomlinson School get to grips with engineering at the Engineering Awareness Day

Some of the industry’s leading local companies visited the school for an Engineering Awareness Day on July 15.

Organised by the West Cumbria Business Cluster (WCBC), students were shown an exhibition by firms involved in energy and took part in an exciting technology challenge. The theme of the event, the generation and use of energy in the engineering industry, raised awareness among staff and students about the importance of engineering to the Cumbrian economy.

The exhibiting companies, Amec, Sellafield Ltd, Doosan Babcock Energy, Innovia Films, E-On and Lancaster University, demonstrated products and services, talked about career opportunities and organised hands-on competitions.

The day attracted interest from more than 500 students.

In addition, nine teams of three students from across the school took part in a technology challenge to design and build a car powered by alternative energy. Vehicles were judged by the quality of construction and speed to complete the eight metre race track.

The worthy winners, who each received i-pods from Ian Henderson of Amec and director of WCBC, were: key stage 3 team 'Tryke', Aaron Cockbain, Jay Brannan, Lawrence Smith; key stage 4 team 'Superstars' Charlotte Graham, Daniel Skelton, Scott Russel; sixth form team 'Powder Puff Girls' Chris Owen, Ryan Clark, Andrew Pinske.

The event was supported by the companies involved and staff across the school, including the food technology department which used the event as an opportunity to hone students’ skills in preparing a buffet lunch.

Ian said: “West Cumbria Business Cluster is striving to help further develop links between our schools and the local engineering and energy industry, as one strand in the efforts to provide Cumbria with the skills and expertise it needs to develop as Britain’s Energy Coast.”

For information on WCBC visit: www.westcumbriabusinesscluster.org.uk

First published at 15:46, Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk