News

AN all-female team of budding young inventors from Staffordshire has teamed up with a global engineering giant as part of the MNA Stem Challenge 2018.

Aged between 13 and 14, the team of six girls from Staffordshire University Academy in Hednesford has partnered with thyssenkrupp (UK) – the German steel group with its UK base in Solihull and a major operation at Cradley Heath.

Overseen by Midlands News Association, publishers of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, the STEM Challenge aims to boost pupil engagement in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths by bringing together 25 teams from schools across the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire to pit their creative skills against one another.

The contest is also a prime opportunity for students to form valuable links in the world of industry, with each team paired with a representative from a business or organisation who acts as their mentor throughout.

Scott Williams, director of teaching and learning at Staffordshire University Academy, has been charting the team’s progress. He said: “Given that there is a national shortage of women working within STEM-related professions, we’ve really embraced the chance to get female students more involved in these subjects, which is why we’ve decided to put an all-girl team forward for the competition.

“The girls have all demonstrated potential and talent in STEM subjects, with enthusiasm and drive, and their parents have called in with excitement about the project.”

Each team is tasked with designing a product that aims to improve or enhance the quality of life for a group or person considered to be disadvantaged.

The team will display its final product as a working model during a presentation event, which is due to take place at Dudley College of Technology on July 5. The design will be judged against four criteria – Best Work Plan, Best Team Work, Best Operating Model and Best Presentation.