Event date: Saturday 31 March 2001

The University of Glasgow hosted this year's Young Engineers Club event, organised by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). The gathering of over 450 students was an opportunity for young people from schools, colleges and universities all over Scotland to demonstrate their creativity and innovation in science, engineering and technology.

Twenty sponsor companies set challenges and offered prizes to participants, some of whom have invented products which have gone on to be commercially exploited in previous years. Jack McConnell MSP, Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs presented the prizes.

Alan Wilson, Chief Executive of the SCDI, said: "The Young Engineers Clubs' initiative seeks to encourage Scotland's young people to consider the rewards and challenges of a career in science, engineering and technology. This event is an opportunity for education and industry to come together and develop partnerships to mutual benefit."

PRIZEWINNERS

SHOWCASE Winners
Lenzie Academy "Young Engineers Club of the Year"
£500 (Courtesy of BT Scotland) One day as guests of Royal Navy

Runners-up Houston Primary School, Renfrewshire
£200 (Courtesy of BT Scotland)

SECTION AWARDS
P6/P7 Winners:
Houston Primary School £100 (Courtesy of SCDI)
Runners-up: Netherlee Primary School £50 (Courtesy of SCDI)
S1/S3 Winners:
Lenzie Academy £100 (Courtesy of SCDI)
Runners-up : Peterhead Academy £50 (Courtesy of SCDI)
S4/S6 Winners:
Forfar Academy £100 (Courtesy of SCDI)
Runners-up: Auchterarder High School £50 (Courtesy of SCDI)

SPECIAL AWARDS
Links with Industry:
Forfar Academy - Trophy (Courtesy of the University of Glasgow)

TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE
Winners:
James Young High School
Three day "Study Tour" and £200 (Courtesy of BT Scotland)One day trip to Heathrow Airport, London and a visit to BSKYB Studios, Osterley. The Study Tour is scheduled for June 2000.
Runners-up:
Peterhead Academy £100 (Courtesy of BT Scotland) Visit to a local company

The University of Glasgow hosted the 2001 event as part of its 550th Anniversary celebrations.

The "Technology Challenge" consisted of 20 three-minute challenges set by Scottish companies.

Examples of Challenges set include:

1. Kvaerner Oilfield Products, Aberdeen

Raise a submerged bottle to the surface using the Equipment Supplied Kvaerner will supply various pieces of equipment. Teams must work out a method to raise the bottle up to a Rig on the surface.

2. BSKYB

To construct a satellite dish using the materials supplied.

3. BT Scotland

Using priority software the group are asked to allocate jobs to members of staff taking into account skills; location etc. The challenge requires the group to allocate the jobs appropriately without incurring any overtime. Some emergency work could appear on the screen during allocation.

The challenge encourages the use of current technology and give the young people an insight into some of the problems facing managers. (Lack of skills; location problems and emergency situations.

4. Royal Navy

The Challenge requires teams to use a combination of observation and engineering deduction to connect a variety of information regarding current naval technology

5. BAA Scotland

To work out the correct switch positions on a logic diagram to operate the lighting of an Airport Runway Lighting System. The logic circuit is constructed from basic building blocks consisting of And./or/X and Not Gates.

Further information for the press can be found at:
http://www.newsdesk.gla.ac.uk/pressreleases

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Photo opportunities:

* From 2.45pm - 4.30pm young people's inventions and competition entries can be viewed. Jack McConnell will award prizes from 3.45pm - 4.15pm Venue is Hunter Halls, University Main Building on University Avenue

Further information:

* Sandy Moggach, Co-ordinator, Young Engineers Clubs Scotland, Tel: 0141 956 2137, Mobile, 07710 782110

* Valerie Jarvis, Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), 01141 332

* University Press Office, 0141 330 3535

Notes to editors:

* Young Engineers Clubs Scotland is a Scottish Council for Development and Industry initiative. Now in its 11th year the project is the biggest of its kind, with over 3000 school pupils undertaking activities in the Clubs.

* The event is sponsored by the University of Glasgow, in partnership with BT Scotland, BAA Scotland, Royal Navy and British Airways.

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First published: 30 March 2001