The first all-girl teams to enter the ATLAS Elektronik STE(A)M competition were ready and eager to go at the start of our school day. As they headed towards Lulworth Cove and the Winfrith Industrial park where ATLAS Elektronik have a facility, they were unsure of what the day held.
With security checks made on the two staff, we were allowed onto the grounds. A strict “no-phones” policy was in place inside ATLAS due to the nature of the work carried out for the Ministry of Defence and others. ID badges and an escort were needed to take us from reception to the location of the competition deep inside the facility. As we entered the conference room, other schools were eagerly waiting. The Highcliffe teams sat in the immense silence cause by the anticipation of what was to come, until the free hot chocolate and biscuits were spotted!
The six Highcliffe girls were divided and joined two other schools to form mixed teams of six. After a bit of an introduction the girls were given the task of designing and building a “stealth” boat from some simple tools and materials. They were scored on categories such as teamwork, initiative, innovation, design, speed, quietness and aesthetics. The boats were simple, but the decisions about the boat needed some thought. Do they sacrifice speed and have a quiet boat or move it faster but have a noisier propeller? Decisions, decisions!
After two hours of designing, building and testing the boats were taken to the test tank. Unfortunately the teams were not able to watch the boats as there was some real “top secret” testing happening for the British Government! The boats were filmed and there was a short video of each one making the two runs across the tank. Some sank, one flipped, some went round in circles and others seemed to fly along, in reverse!
Whilst the students ate lunch the judges deliberated. They apparently went back and forth for first and second places. In the end, the team made up of three girls from Thomas Hardy School, Maisie, Sophie and Hester were awarded second place. They’d split the judges!
The team had an award given of a place on a summer course for STE(A)M at a university near London – all expenses paid, which would provide a great experience for the girls that won the four places available. The courses run by the Smallpeice Trust aim to inspire students to follow a route into STE(A)M industries. The EDT (Engineering Design Trust) run similar courses in school holidays.
As we left the building a final official photo of the six girls was taken, with free water bottles gratefully received and a smile on their faces for jobs well done, we left. Highcliffe will return next year and hopefully return victorious!
Congratulations to all six girls that took part - Maisie, Molly, Phoebe, Hester, Sophie and Josephine.
Well done girls!
Owned by: PES | Last Published: 25/03/2019 11:39:37 | Next Update: N/A
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