Student teams tested in Sleaford schools technology challenge

The event was hosted by Kesteven and Sleaford high School in its sports hall and Bill Martindale from the Rotary Club explained that the aim is to help support and develop students’ STEM skills (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

He said: “This year we had 100 competitors, 25 teams of four, from our five local secondary schools - Kesteven & Sleaford High School, Sir William Robertson Academy of Welbourn, St George’s Academy Sleaford, Carre’s Grammar School and St George’s Academy Ruskington.” The challenge was to make a weight-powered vehicle made of light wood, where a 200g metal weight suspended on cotton thread drives pulley wheels to propel the wheels up a sloping test track and under a bridge. The whichever team’s vehicle travels the furthest is the winner.

There were prizes for the Foundation category comprising of Year 8 students and an Intermediate category for Year 10s. The older age group had a steeper slope to get up.

There was also a challenge for staff teams.

The Year 8 prize was won by a team from Sir William Roberson Academy. The Year 10 section was won by a team from Kesteven and Sleaford High School. Rotary Club President Tony Dixon presented the engraved trophy and vouchers to the winners. For the first time the event was sponsored by engineering company Grunwald UK, based near Ashby de la Launde, and their support enabled the event to offer improved facilities and equipment for the students.

Judges came from Grunwald UK and Lincs Design Group of Sleaford. Bill said: “The feedback from students and staff was positive, and the weight powered vehicle was considered a challenging but fair task.”