Events

Young engineers of the future can put their classroom lessons to the test in a new challenge launched for schools across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

The Express & Star has launched the STEM Challenge 2019 – Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths – in order to boost student engagement with these key topics and also give them an understanding of how what they learn in the classroom will play a vital role in future careers.

The competition is also forging valuable links between local business and schools – and will provide students with an insight into the world of industry.

This is the second year MNA, publishers of the Express & Star, have held the challenge.

Last year, a joint initiative was run between the Express & Star and sister title Shropshire Star – but the scheme proved so successful that challenges are being held for both newspapers.

There are 21 schools signed up to the challenge, with each one partnered with a mentor from business or organisation involved in the industry.

Product design
They have been asked to design a product, using the elements of STEM, that has a positive benefit to an individual/group and the environment, or just the environment.

The teams of six pupils will then need to demonstrate their product as a working model at a presentation on July 11 2019, at Dudley College of Technology – the campaign’s main sponsor.

Their product will be judged according to four criteria – Best Work Plan, sponsored by Entrust; Best Presentation, sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton; Best Team Work, sponsored by KUKA Robotics; and Best Operating Model, sponsored by Laser Process.

During the challenge, the schools will have the opportunity to visit Dudley College of Technology to see the facilities and use their equipment to help create the product.

The mentors, who have all been given formal STEM training, will visit the schools regularly between now and July to work with the teams to monitor their progress and also provide support where needed.

‘Best event in education’
The challenge was announced by Shaun Hunt, assistant principal at Dudley College of Technology, at a launch event held at GTG Training Academy, in Wolverhampton, last Thursday.

He said: “What we did last year was a prolonged engagement with a lot of young people and culminated in probably the best event I have been to since I have been in education. The event last year where we celebrated the award winners was absolutely fantastic.

“It is really important that our young people understand the benefits of being in STEM related curriculum and STEM related subjects because the careers, the pay and opportunity is immense in the Black Country.

“Over the seven months we want the teams to plan their projects and manufacture a product or a prototype reflecting the challenge.

“We need to see the application of STEM science, technology, engineering and maths – after all, this is what the campaign is all about.

“We have a responsibility to promote STEM curriculum and the opportunities available locally.”

Community impact
Among the schools taking part is Moseley Park School, in Bilston, which has been partnered with Jenks & Cattell Engineering, based in Willenhall.

Teacher Andriane Usherwood-Brown said: “The school’s enterprise advisor is heavily involved in STEM and he made me aware of the Express & Star challenge.

“This challenge is a proactive approach to STEM, as opposed to them being in the classroom – they can actually see how STEM has a huge impact on the community in general..”

Mentor Ryan Clark said: “We wanted to get involved as the STEM industry is booming at the moment especially in the Midlands and it is an exciting time to get young people involved.

“A lot of people, especially at a young age who we are looking at doing this challenge with, might not know as much about it – engineering is quite perceived as getting your hands dirty with a machine. But there is so much more at the moment.”

Benefits
Jayne Guest, from In-Comm Training which has been partnered up with the Barr Beacon School said the STEM challenge was a good way to entice young females students to consider engineering as a career.

She said: “We are a training provider which offers advance level engineering apprenticeships. We wanted another platform to entice the young people to go into engineering.

“Working with a local school for us such as Barr Beacon is the perfect opportunity for them to use our facilities and use our talents and skill base to hopefully win this project.”

Challenge sponsors have also spoken about why they wanted to be involved in the scheme and the benefits they hope it will bring.

New sponsor for this year, Jonathan Horne, from Laser Process, said: “I am always keen on getting youngsters involved in manufacturing and engineering. We wanted to get more involved with younger people and the STEM challenge is an ideal vehicle to do that.”

Initiative
Katherine Nowill, marketing manager at KUKA Robotics, said: “It was a really good scheme last year. There is such a huge range of skills and it is encouraging youngsters to get involved with those subjects.

“We are really looking forward to the results of the challenge this year, based on the successes last year.

“We could not believe the amount of initiative and thought that went into the end result products.”

Express & Star editor, Martin Wright, added: “The last STEM campaign was a huge success so we decided to do it all again – but this time split it into two, one for the Express & Star and one for our sister paper the Shropshire Star.

“For a number of us, we really did not know what to expect from the teams taking part in the 2018 competition. The standard of work they produced completely blew us away.

“We we were expecting cardboard boxes and elastic bands – and how wrong we were. We are sure our next group of inventors will produce work of a similar high standard.

“We are grateful to our 21 mentor companies and the schools will be able to draw upon their expertise over the coming months.

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the judging and awards ceremony on July 11 where the teams will showcase their products.”



Ambassador
Overseeing some of the STEM challenge team projects will be Malcolm Eyre.

During the challenge, Malcolm will be working with schools and their mentors in the Staffordshire area.

His role will include providing support to the mentors as they monitor the progress of the pupils’ projects. He is based at the Staffordshire STEM Centre.

He has more than 20 years of teaching experience in high schools across Staffordshire specialising in design and technology.

He said: “We are repeating the challenge again this year, based on the success of last year. We are trying to give young people the opportunity to work with industry professionals, solve real life problems and improve their knowledge of the careers that are on offer in the industry.

“It is a fun way for the students to experience things they would not normally work on in school. It encapsulates so many aspects of life as well as teaching them skills.

“We are able to give students much better experience and showing them the careers that are available in STEM related subjects.

“It gets ambassadors from companies to work with students and more importantly we get teachers and students to understand what careers are available.”

Helping the Black Country schools and their mentors will be lead STEM ambassador Liz Smith, who works at the West Midlands STEM Ambassador Hub based at the University of Worcester.

Mentor
Kira Edwards from the Petford Group was the successful mentor for last year’s challenge winners Thorns Collegiate Academy.

The Quarry Bank school team was named the overall winners for their My Stand device, which was then sold to help raise money for Sedgley-based Beacon Centre.

The team, named Little Einsteins, designed a stand for a mobile phone or tablet that enables blind and visually impaired people to make the most of a talking camera app called Seeing AI. As well as holding a tablet or phone, it has an extra shelf so that a document can be paced at the ideal height and position in front of the device’s camera enabling the app to read the text out loud.

Kira said: “We have a massive skills gap going on. The children don’t know what is available to them and we are looking at closing that skills gap and working with local schools.

“The challenge was a refreshing way to show it is not a dirty industry or job. It was really great to work with the school and see their ideas.

“It was really enjoyable and I loved working with the students. We had lots of fun and also collaborated with a local charity – they created and designed a product which has now gone into production.

“It gave them a new insight into engineering jobs. The students worked hard and because they were studying their GCSEs at the time they were meeting us outside of school – their dedication as terrific.”

Sponsor
Dudley College of Technology’s assistant principal said he hoped the STEM challenge 2019 would help young people realise the value of studying in one of the related subjects and the opportunities that are available in the Black Country.

Shaun Hunt, who previously worked as a building surveyor, said: “My role at the college is to lead on technology and all technical vocational training which tends to be engineering, construction, science and motor vehicle.

“What we have done at Dudley College in the last two years is invest £14 million in STEM-related curriculum. Last year I was standing here talking about a building that had been open for two months for STEM curriculum around manufacturing and modern construction.This year that building is at capacity – all new curriculum, all new learners. We under-estimated the demand. Last year’s project was very successful – we had lots of engagement with schools coming along to the college to use our equipment.

The products that were produced were absolutely amazing and the technology that was used in the development of those projects at the school was really impressive.

“People put in a lot of their own time and there was a lot of employers who put time aside to make the project work – it was a true collaboration.”

During the last few years, the college opened the £9m Dudley Advance centre for manufacturing and engineering technology and more recently the £12m Dudley Advance II, which focuses on building technologies.

Events

The E&S Wolves Podcast with Tim Spiers and Nathan Judah is being recorded live at Molineux for its 100th episode – and the lads want YOU to join them!

The duo will be recording the centenary special live and uncut at Molineux’s WV1 bar on Thursday December 6 at 7pm.

Tickets are on sale now for just £5 and are strictly limited on a first come first served basis

To purchase downloadable tickets for the event, click the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-wolves-podcast-100th-episode-special-tickets-51966355769

Tim and Nathan will be chewing the Wolves fat with plenty of fan interaction throughout the night.

All your favourite segments will be on show including a special ‘Abuse of the Week’ live edition and a live Q&A.

Wolves play Chelsea at Molineux the night before so the boys will be analysing a famous Wolves win (!) and previewing the trip to Newcastle.

There’ll be a host of surprises on the night for what’s sure to be an unforgettable evening.

Wolves Podcast 100th Episode LIVE Itinerary
6.15pm – Doors open (full bar available)

7pm – 100th Wolves podcast live – Part 1

7.45pm – Interval

8pm – 100th Wolves podcast live – Part 2

9-10.30pm – Have a post poddy drink and a chat with the lads

The definitive book of Wolves’ title-winning season, On Our Way Back: Story of the Season 17/18 will be on sale during the evening priced at just £9.99.

So don’t delay, book your tickets now (which include free parking at Molineux) to avoid disappointment.

Events

Our county’s unsung heroes were presented with a Great Big Thank You at a prestigious awards ceremony organised by the Shropshire Star.

The winners of nine different categories – voted for by you our readers – were presented with their awards over afternoon tea at Hadley Park House Hotel in Telford on Thursday.

It was an emotionally charged event as the guests were told tales about courage, kindness and selfless devotion to their communities by the winners.

Each winner was presented with a trophy hand made by the British Ironwork Centre at Oswestry, which had been donated free of charge.

And the winners are:
Sarah Copeland – Outstanding Bravery Award: Sarah donated a kidney to her mother-in-law Stephanie Copeland, transforming her life

Kim Fawke – Ambassador of the Year: Kim is the driving force behind the Telford Park Run, which brings hundreds together each week

John & Christine Greenhalgh – Community Champion: Stalwarts of Age UK.They are both former trustees and have run a day centre

West Mercia Search & Rescue – Volunteer of the Year: For its work searching the River Severn in the event of missing people who may have fallen in.

Edd & Ruth Lowe – Fundraiser of the Year: Pub landlords who have raised thousands for the military charity Help for Heroes

Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre – Environmental Champion: For the tireless work carried out by volunteers in rescuing sick animals

McKenzie Smith – Young Star Award: McKenzie has overcome cerebral palsy to play wheelchair football, tennis and basketball

Eileen Walton – Grandparent of the Year: A cancer patient who has raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan to help others

Cheri Williams – Carer Award: Looks after two grandchildren and suffers health problems but still has time to run community groups and raise money for charity

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright, who hosted the proceedings, said the event had been one of the highlights of the year.

“It is always humbling to hear the stories of such special people who play such a valuable role in making our community a better place,” he said.

“We have heard some truly remarkable stories of bravery, kindness and sheer hard work from the unsung heroes of our county, and it has been a privilege to meet these wonderful people.”

The winners were chosen by a public vote of readers, after a shortlist of 27 was printed in the paper in July.

Mr Wright added that while there could only be one winner from each category, everybody who had made the final 27 could be justifiably be proud of what they had achieved.

The first award went to Edd and Ruth Lowe, who took the Fundraiser of the Year title, sponsored by Denso. The couple, who keep The Plough Inn at Wellington, have raised a staggering £125,000 for forces charities since they took over the pub 10 years ago.

Every year the couple host a Heroes Day, which attracts more than 1,000 visitors, and raises funds to provide support for ex-servicemen. It is a subject dear to Edd’s heart, as he served with the Light Infantry.

Wayne Gethings, from sponsor Shire Living, presented the Grandparent of the Year award to Eileen Walton.

After being diagnosed with cancer, 76-year-old Eileen from Brookside, Telford, decided to use her experience to help others.

Instead of waiting for her hair to fall out due to chemotherapy, she opted to have it shaved off in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Her grandson Ben paid tribute to her, saying: “We’re so proud of her and the fact that she is fighting this and being positive.”

The Volunteer of the Year title, sponsored by Choices, was won by West Mercia Search and Rescue, a voluntary organisation which tries to locate missing people whose lives may be in danger.

The team’s Matt Weaver and James Gitttins were presented with the trophy from Jim Dickson of Choices.

The organisation received no fewer than three nominations. One of these came from Kirsty Walsh, whose husband Shane tragically drowned in the River Severn following a night out in the town.

Kirsty praised the volunteers for the work they did in recovering Shane’s body.

“They retrieved his body from the River Severn in a dignified and respectful manner,” she said.

“Without them I would not have been able to say goodbye to my husband. They don’t talk about what they do, so don’t get the recognition they deserve.”

The Environmental Champion Award, also sponsored by Denso, went to Cuan Wildlife Rescue based in Much Wenlock.

The charity runs a purpose-built hospital to treat sick and injured wildlife before returning it to its natural habitat.

It is the only wildlife centre in the country providing a round-the-clock service, and more than 2,500 animals will come through its doors over the course of a year.

Ian Trennan from Denso presented the award to Sean and Anna Nicholas, who now run the centre.

Mark Lewis, owner of Hadley Park House, presented Sarah Copeland from Ketley, Telford, with the Outstanding Bravery award after donating a kidney to her mother-in-law.

Stephanie, 63, from Donnington, said she was in no doubt that the transplant had saved her life.

“I have had kidney problems for years, but just over two years ago it got very serious, and I was on dialysis all the time,” said Stephanie.

“Three members of my family got checked out, but it was Sarah who was a match and she saved my life.”

The Community Champion award, presented by Francis Best of sponsor Wrekin Housing Trust, went to husband and wife John and Christine Greenhalgh.

They were nominated by Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin chief executive Heather Osborne, who told how they had supported dozens of older people in the village of Shawbury.“They have supported dozens of older people in the village to live independently and have a happier old age,” she said.

“They also worked tirelessly to support a number of individual older people in their village.

“They never stinted from rolling up their sleeves to do whatever was needed to help the charity in its mission of supporting local older people, from cakes and fundraising to setting us up as a registered company.

“Their contribution has been immeasurable, and the charity would not be where it is without them.”

They have both also served as trustees of Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin.

Cheri Williams from the Ellerdine area of Telford, took the carer award, after being nominated by neighbour Michael Smith.

He told how Cheri was the legal guardian of her two grandchildren, one of whom has serious health problems.

Michael added: “She also has health problems of her own, however she volunteers to clean the village hall for which she is an ardent committee member.

He said Cheri also ran regular errands, helping at least two elderly residents, as well as doing part time work.

“She is also a prolific fundraiser for Blood Bikes in Shropshire and Staffordshire, “ he added. “A good egg.”

Cheri, who has also volunteered as a dog walker with the Hilbrae dog rescue charity, was presented with her well-deserved award from Nigel Downs of sponsor Choices.

One of the most touching moments was the presentation of the Young Star Award to 12-year-old McKenzie Smith, from Shrewsbury.

The ceremony heard how despite being afflicted by cerebral palsy since birth, McKenzie’s disability had not stopped him from indulging in his passion for sport.

Before receiving life-changing surgery in 2016, McKenzie was unable to walk without the aid of a frame.

But his mother Emily said her son had astounded doctors with his recovery following the nine-hour operation.

“He had surgery to lower his kneecaps, tighten his calf muscles and they broke his hips to reset them,” she said. “After that he had to learn to walk again, and they said it would take him at least two years before he would be able to walk. Within a year he was running.”

He now plays wheelchair tennis, football and basketball.

McKenzie smiled broadly when presented with his trophy, and Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright remarked: “Your mum says you always have a smile on your face.”

He was presented with his award by Vicky Price of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, which sponsored the category.

The final category, Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by the Shropshire Star, went to Kim Fawke for her work promoting the Telford Park Run.

The audience was told how Kim had helped hundreds of people get off their sofas to exercise.

Her son Nathan said she was an asset to the community, with more than 500 people who would normally still be in bed on a Saturday morning taking part in the weekly run.