On Thursday 29^th June one of our top set year eight classes were given a day off timetable to complete a challenge to design an innovative prototype which will be useful to people at sea – from sailors to ship mechanics, from submariners to holiday makers.

The class had to work in ‘company’ groups of four, as the research and development department of a scientific equipment manufacturing company. The groups needed to plan an idea, develop the idea, build a prototype, cost the finished product and then present the ideas in a “Dragon’s Den” style competition.

We were very impressed with the range of ideas, which included a car that would travel on land and sea, a specialist boat with a ramp and life-saving rings on the outside of the craft and a luxury submarine to allow people to explore the ocean bed.

The winning team developed the idea of floating trees which would allow migrating birds a place to rest on their long journeys. The team of 4 particularly impressed the judges with their presentation which showed the distances and routes that some birds fly, the price they would charge for the item and the planning of the presentation. The winning team of Mia, Tegan, Eleanor and Evie will go forward to the County Final next week.

Many thanks go to Medway Education Business Partnership who designed the activity, and to Mr. Platt, Mr. May and Mr. Malone who attended for part of the day.

Ms Whitehead

STEM Co-ordinator