180 schools across the UK to take part in engineering challenge

21 November 2008

Budding young engineers from across the UK are set to take up the challenge of creating innovative solutions to engineering problems.

The Faraday engineering challenge days, which kick off in December, are part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday programme and aim to encourage more young people to study and consider careers in science, engineering and technology.

The events will be held at 33 schools with six teams of six 12 to 13-year-olds taking part. From the 180 schools participating, three teams will be selected to participate in the UK final at the first Young Scientists and Engineers Fair at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, in March 2009.

Jan Stapleton, the IET’s head of education 5-19, said, “We need to encourage more young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths subjects and consider engineering as a possible career path.

“This is the first time with have held a series of challenge days and we hope that these hands-on, practical events will challenge young people’s perceptions, and make them realise that engineering is an exciting, rewarding career path.”

For more information, visit www.theiet.org/faraday.

Media enquiries to:

Robert Beahan
IET Press Officer
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org

Mary Donovan
IET Head of Communications
T: +44 (0)1438 765587
M: +44 (0)7725 498117
E: mdonovan@theiet.org